Utah Representative Burgess Owens has proposed a new bill that could reshape the handling of migrants in sanctuary cities in the U.S.
According to Fox News, the SCORE Act seeks to limit federal funding for sanctuary cities that relocate migrants to non-sanctuary cities without proper authorization.
The proposed legislation, titled the Sanctuary City Oversight and Responsibility in Enforcement (SCORE) Act, was introduced by the Republican congressman to address challenges associated with the management of illegal migrants in sanctuary cities.
Under the new rules, these cities would face financial repercussions, targeting their usage of federal funds specifically meant for the FEMA Shelter and Services Programs (SSP).
Sanctuary cities would be required to have a documented sponsor for each migrant before sending them to another city. This sponsor would need to ensure the migrant does not require government shelter at their new location, thus preventing unforeseen burdens on the receiving municipalities' resources.
Moreover, the SCORE Act would necessitate regular oversight by the Government Accountability Office. They would issue quarterly reports assessing the compliance of FEMA grant recipients with the stringent conditions imposed by this act.
Rep. Owens has pointed out specific incidents that necessitate such measures, including actions by the city of Denver. According to him, Denver issued over 1,500 travel tickets to facilitate migrant travel to Salt Lake City without corresponding notifications to local authorities in Utah.
This legislation comes as a response to what Owens describes as an abuse of the openness of sanctuary cities when their resources are stretched thin. By relocating migrants to non-sanctuary cities, these local governments are seen as evading their responsibility towards the migrants they vowed to protect.
Here is a comprehensive statement from Burgess Owens regarding his motivation for introducing the bill:
If this administration won't fight for American safety, security, and rule of law, our Republican majority will. I introduced a bill to drop the taxpayer dollars funding migrants pouring into our communities. My message to these sanctuary cities is simple — you cheered on open borders and you welcomed these migrants with open arms. Now that your resources and services are overwhelmed, you will not be allowed to ship these desperate people into our communities.
If passed, the SCORE Act could significantly alter the way sanctuary cities manage their migrant population. It is poised to ensure that sanctuary cities maintain direct responsibility and accountability for the migrants within their jurisdictions, potentially reducing unexpected pressures on cities not equipped or unwilling to handle sudden influxes of migrants.
Owens' move seems to be partially motivated by broader national security concerns and a response to what many Republicans describe as inadequate federal management of border security under the current administration. The SCORE Act underscores a legislative effort to reinforce local accountability while curtailing what Owens perceives as a misuse of federal funds.
In conclusion, Burgess Owens's SCORE Act seeks to enforce stricter regulations on sanctuary cities’ management of migrants, potentially reshaping their operational frameworks and funding mechanisms.
The bill responds to specific instances of uncoordinated migrant movements, aiming to ensure that sanctuary cities' welcoming gestures do not turn into burdens for others. It represents a significant step in addressing long-standing issues related to overseeing and funding sanctuary policies in the U.S.
