Freedom to Cooperate Act

House Bill

H.R. 864

119th Congress

Freedom to Cooperate Act

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 31, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Kevin Patrick Kiley

Representative

Republican

CA-3

Cosponsors

0

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Immigration

Summary

The Freedom to Cooperate Act prohibits states from blocking their personnel or entities from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement or inquiring about immigration status. It allows DHS to issue detainers with probable cause for anyone arrested for criminal or motor vehicle offenses believed to be inadmissible or deportable. It provides legal immunity for state and local officials temporarily detaining non-citizens under federal authority.

Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

The Freedom to Cooperate Act prohibits states from blocking their personnel or entities from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement or inquiring about immigration status. It allows DHS to issue detainers with probable cause for anyone arrested for criminal or motor vehicle offenses believed to be inadmissible or deportable. It provides legal immunity for state and local officials temporarily detaining non-citizens under federal authority.

Last updated: 1/4/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Freedom to Cooperate ActThis bill addresses issues related to state and local government cooperation with federal immigration enforcement efforts.A state may not prohibit its personnel or another government entity from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement efforts or making inquiries about an individual's immigration status. Currently, a government entity is only barred from prohibiting the sharing of immigration-related information with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).DHS may issue a detainer if there is probable cause to believe that an individual arrested for any criminal or motor vehicle offense is inadmissible or deportable.Furthermore, the bill provides legal immunity for a state or local government entity or official temporarily detaining a non-U.S. national under federal authority.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Prohibits sanctuary state policies
Requires cooperation with federal immigration enforcement
Allows immigration status inquiries
DHS can issue detainers for criminal arrests
Provides legal immunity for detention cooperation
Expands state-federal immigration cooperation

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

This bill targets sanctuary policies where states or localities limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. It would override state laws that prohibit local police from asking about immigration status or honoring federal detainer requests. The legal immunity provision addresses concerns that local officials face liability for immigration-related detention. Critics argue it conscripts local resources for federal enforcement and damages community trust; supporters contend it enhances public safety.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Immigration

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

864, 119th Congress (2025). "Freedom to Cooperate Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-864