Georgia and other states threaten fines and jail time for local officials who resist immigration crackdown

Georgia Sen. Blake Tillery, R-Vidalia, listens to a reporter's question following Senate passage of a bill limiting state funding of gender affirming care on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, at the Georgia Capitol in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jeff Amy)

Republican state lawmakers seeking to aid President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration are threatening local officials who resist with lawsuits, fines and even potential jail time.

Lawmakers in more than 20 states this year have filed legislation targeting so-called sanctuary policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, according to an Associated Press analysis using the bill-tracking software Plural.

Some of those states already ban sanctuary policies but are now proposing to punish mayors, council members and other government officials who violate the prohibition.