The proposed bill, known as the "Prohibition of Sanctuary Jurisdictions Act," aims to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by introducing new sections that define and regulate sanctuary jurisdictions. It establishes that any county, municipality, or political subdivision identified by a court as a sanctuary jurisdiction will not receive state funds and must return any funds previously allocated, along with a civil penalty ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. The bill also mandates the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) to publish an Immigration Compliance Report, which will list compliant jurisdictions and withhold funds from those that do not meet compliance standards.

Additionally, the bill amends existing laws regarding the release of individuals charged with noncapital offenses. Specifically, it stipulates that illegal aliens detained by law enforcement cannot be released into the community but must be 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 taken into account during legal proceedings.

Statutes affected:
12/10/2025: 8-31-10, 8-31-20, 8-31-30, 17-15-10, 17-15-30
01/21/2026: 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