ICE Gets $350M to Arrest in Sanctuary Cities: Your Rights
$350 million is now flowing to ICE to arrest immigrants in sanctuary cities — places that previously refused to cooperate with federal agents. President Trump signed the Secure America Act on June 10, 2026, and ICE says the money will fund arrests in neighborhoods, workplaces, and public spaces. If you live in a sanctuary city, the protection you relied on just got significantly weaker.
President Trump signed the Secure America Act on June 10, 2026, giving ICE $350 million specifically to increase arrests in sanctuary jurisdictions — cities and counties that refuse to share information with federal immigration agents or hold people for ICE pickup. Acting ICE Director David J. Venturella confirmed the funding will expand ICE's ability to monitor jail releases and arrest people in neighborhoods, businesses, and other public spaces when local authorities won't cooperate.
What this means for immigrants in sanctuary cities
If you live in a city that does not cooperate with ICE — such as many large urban areas — this law directly affects you. ICE has said that when local jails refuse to hand people over, agents are forced to find them in the community instead. That means arrests can happen at your home, your workplace, or on the street. Senator Eric Schmitt of Missouri, who championed the $350 million provision, stated the goal is for ICE to "meet criminals outside the jailhouse door." ICE also noted that nearly 70% of arrests under the current administration have involved people charged with or convicted of a crime — but the agency confirmed that a criminal record is not required for immigration enforcement action.
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Immigrant rights, appeals and protective measures
Sanctuary policies offered some practical protection before: if local police didn't alert ICE, many people were simply released without federal contact. That buffer is now smaller. With more funding for surveillance and field operations, ICE can track releases and act faster. Removal proceedings — the formal legal process where an immigration judge decides whether someone must leave the US — can begin after any ICE arrest, regardless of where it happens.
What to do
- Know your rights during an ICE encounter: you have the right to remain silent and the right to speak with an immigration lawyer before answering questions. You do not have to open your door unless agents show a signed judicial warrant.
- If you are in removal proceedings or fear you may be arrested, ask an immigration attorney about filing for a stay of deportation (Form I-246, which currently costs $155) to pause any removal while your case is reviewed.
- If ICE arrests you, you have the right to an immigration bond hearing. Ask for one immediately — a judge can set a bond amount that allows you to be released while your case continues.
- Document your ties to the US: family members who are citizens or green card holders, employment records, tax returns, and length of residence all matter in immigration court and can support your defense.
Related: our step-by-step guide — “Deportation Defense”.
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With this funding, ICE field operations in sanctuary jurisdictions will intensify, and people with any prior contact with law enforcement are at higher risk of arrest. If you have a removal order — even an old one — you should speak with an immigration attorney immediately about whether you qualify to reopen your case: a motion to reopen must generally be filed within 90 days of a final order. If you are arrested, invoking your right to remain silent and requesting a bond hearing are the two most important steps you can take before anything else. An attorney can assess whether you qualify for cancellation of removal, asylum, or other relief that could stop deportation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ICE arrest me in a sanctuary city even if local police won't cooperate?
Yes. The Secure America Act gives ICE $350 million to do exactly that. ICE agents can arrest you in public spaces, near your home, or at your workplace without local police involvement. Sanctuary policies limit what local authorities share with ICE, but they do not stop federal agents from acting on their own.
Do I need a criminal record for ICE to arrest me?
No. ICE confirmed that a criminal history is not required for immigration enforcement. While the agency says nearly 70% of recent arrests involved people with criminal charges or convictions, any person who is undocumented or has a removal order can be arrested.
What are my rights if ICE comes to my door?
You have the right to remain silent. You do not have to open your door unless agents present a judicial warrant signed by a judge — an administrative ICE warrant is not enough to force entry. You have the right to speak with an immigration lawyer. Do not sign any documents without legal advice.
What is an immigration bond hearing and how do I get one?
A bond hearing is a proceeding before an immigration judge where you can ask to be released from ICE detention while your case continues. You or your lawyer must request one. The judge sets a bond amount you pay to be released. Not everyone qualifies — people with certain criminal convictions or final removal orders may be denied bond.