The BLOC Act would deny federal infrastructure funds to sanctuary jurisdictions that fail to notify the Department of Homeland Security 48 hours before releasing unlawfully present aliens from custody.
Jeff Crank
Representative
CO-5
The BLOC Act aims to defund sanctuary jurisdictions by making them ineligible for certain federal funds, specifically those allocated for infrastructure projects. To remain eligible for funding, these jurisdictions must implement a policy requiring local entities to notify the Department of Homeland Security 48 hours before releasing unlawfully present aliens from custody. This policy applies only if DHS has identified the alien's unlawful status and the alien has been detained for at least 48 hours. The Act defines "infrastructure project" according to federal regulations.
BLOC Act: Sanctuary Cities Risk Losing Federal Transportation Funding Over New Immigration Rules
The "Blocking Lawless Open Border Cities and States Act of 2025," or BLOC Act, aims to withhold federal transportation funds from so-called "sanctuary jurisdictions." Here's the deal: If a state or city doesn't play ball with federal immigration enforcement, they could kiss their highway and infrastructure money goodbye.
No Notice, No Dough
The core of the BLOC Act is this: If a locality wants federal money for "infrastructure projects" (think road construction and repairs, as defined in section 184.3 of title 2, Code of Federal Regulations), they must notify the Secretary of Homeland Security at least 48 hours before releasing any undocumented immigrant from custody. But, it's not quite that simple. There are some catches (Section 2):
- The Secretary of Homeland Security has to have already determined the person is not legally in the U.S.
- Homeland Security must have told the local jail or detention center about the person's status at least 48 hours before their release.
- The person has to have been in custody for at least 48 hours already.
Miss any of those steps, and a city or state could find themselves cut off. This includes any funds allocated to a State, that are meant for a political subdivision (city/county). This policy needs to be in place within one year of the BLOC Act's enactment.
Real-World Rollout
Imagine a local police department detains someone they suspect is undocumented. Under this law, if Homeland Security confirms the person's status and notifies the local authorities, those authorities must give Homeland Security a 48-hour heads-up before releasing that person. For a construction worker waiting on road repairs, this could mean delays if their city loses funding. For a small business owner relying on smooth transportation, it could mean logistical nightmares. For someone working a job that has them on the road all day, this could add more time to their commute if projects in their city/state are delayed or canceled.
The Catch
This law puts local law enforcement in a tricky spot. They're essentially being asked to act as an extension of federal immigration authorities, which could damage trust within immigrant communities. Plus, there's the practical issue of holding people longer than they might otherwise be detained, just to meet that 48-hour notification window. There is a potential for some serious slow-downs.
Linking the Old and the New
The BLOC Act is a direct challenge to existing "sanctuary" policies, which limit local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. It's using federal purse strings to force compliance, raising questions about states' rights and the balance of power between federal and local governments. The bill doesn't create new law per se, but it creates a major financial incentive to change existing local practices.