Sen. Schmitt Proposes Bill to End Sanctuary Cities

Legislation would crack down on sanctuary cities, increase penalties for illegal entry, and protect law enforcement.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 10:07pm

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Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., has proposed the Protect America Act, which would tighten U.S. immigration enforcement by cracking down on sanctuary cities, enhancing federal penalties against illegal aliens, and increasing protections for law enforcement officers.

Why it matters

Cracking down on sanctuary cities and strengthening immigration enforcement are key priorities for many conservatives. Schmitt's bill reflects a hard-line Republican approach that emphasizes strict border control and punitive measures for unlawful entry.

The details

The Protect America Act has four main components: permanently ending sanctuary cities, enhancing penalties for illegal entry and reentry, protecting law enforcement, and defunding rogue nongovernmental organizations. Schmitt argues the legislation is necessary to uphold the rule of law and secure the country's future.

  • Schmitt introduced the bill on the Senate floor on Wednesday, February 5, 2026.

The players

Sen. Eric Schmitt

A Republican senator from Missouri who introduced the Protect America Act to tighten immigration enforcement.

Rachel Morin, Jocelyn Nungaray, Laken Riley

Victims of violent crimes involving illegal aliens that Schmitt cited in his floor remarks to argue for a tougher federal stance on immigration.

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What they’re saying

“The rule of law is central to our Constitutional order. A nation that does not enforce its immigration laws cannot effectively protect its people. ... To secure our future, we must enforce our laws.”

— Sen. Eric Schmitt

“The radicals on the streets of Minneapolis — and their comrades in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Portland [Oregon] — are not driven by 'empathy' in any meaningful sense of the term. These are not bleeding-heart humanitarians, paralyzed by an overwhelming concern for the welfare of mankind. Quite the opposite: Their sphere of moral concern is vanishingly small, and it is reserved exclusively for those who can be used as instruments for their political goals. They don't care about what is just. They care about what is useful. They wield the language of decency and compassion as a political weapon.”

— Sen. Eric Schmitt

What’s next

The Protect America Act will now move through the Senate legislative process, where it will face scrutiny and potential amendments before a final vote.

The takeaway

Schmitt's bill reflects the Republican party's hardline stance on immigration enforcement, emphasizing strict border control, enhanced penalties for illegal entry, and cracking down on sanctuary cities. The legislation is likely to face opposition from Democrats who favor more lenient immigration policies.