The proposed bill, known as the "Prohibition of Sanctuary Jurisdictions Act," aims to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by establishing strict regulations against sanctuary jurisdictions. It defines a sanctuary jurisdiction as any political subdivision that enacts policies restricting cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The bill prohibits state funds from being allocated to any jurisdiction deemed a sanctuary by a court, mandates the return of state funding with civil penalties if a jurisdiction is found to be non-compliant, and allows the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to publish an Immigration Compliance Report. This report will identify compliant jurisdictions and withhold funds from those that do not meet the criteria.

Additionally, the bill amends existing laws regarding the release of individuals charged with noncapital offenses. It specifically states that illegal aliens detained by law enforcement must not be released into the community but held until transferred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The amendments also require courts to consider an individual's immigration status when determining conditions of release, ensuring that unlawful presence in the U.S. is a significant factor in assessing flight risk and community safety. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and impose penalties on jurisdictions that do not comply.

Statutes affected:
12/10/2025: 8-31-10, 8-31-20, 8-31-30, 17-15-10, 17-15-30
Latest Version: 8-31-10, 8-31-20, 8-31-30, 17-15-10, 17-15-30