Johnson Bill to Prohibit Infrastructure Funding from Sanctuary City Abuse

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) introduced legislation to prohibit the Department of Transportation from providing any federal funds to sanctuary cities.

“Anti-ICE protestors in sanctuary cities have vandalized roads, bridges, and other transportation infrastructure to make a political statement,” said Johnson. “Local authorities allow these protestors to destroy property then turn around and ask the federal government to foot the bill. This type of behavior is beyond the pale. My bill sends a message to state and local governments – if they want the federal government’s help, they gotta play by the rules.”

Secretary Duffy expressed support for Johnson’s bill. Click here or the image above for their remarks.

Background: 

Federal immigration officials are working to deport criminal illegal aliens in cities and communities across the United States. In doing so, several “sanctuary cities” have sought to limit immigration officials’ access to information or act in defiance of lawful detainers from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Under the Biden Administration, sanctuary cities like Boston housed migrants in our nation’s airports. Other city officials have gone so far as to call for violence against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

On April 28, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14287, “Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens,” which affirms that sanctuary cities who refuse to comply with federal immigration laws may lose federal funding. 

Following the recent violent riots in Los Angeles, California, in response to immigration enforcement actions from ICE, Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean Duffy announced that no federal funds from DOT would be provided to any cities that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration officials. This is echoed in Secretary Duffy’s priorities as part of the DOT’s policy guidance for programs.

The No DOT Funds for Sanctuary Cities Act is cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Brian Babin (R-TX), Buddy Carter (R-GA), Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ), Dave Taylor (R-OH), Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), Pat Harrigan (R-NC), and Claudia Tenney (R-NY).

Click here for bill text.