The proposed legislation from Utah lawmaker Republican Rep. Burgess Owens aims to cut funding to sanctuary cities that attempt to transport illegal migrants into non-sanctuary municipalities. Known as the Sanctuary City Oversight and Responsibility in Enforcement (SCORE) Act, Owens presented the bill to the public, promising that if passed, sanctuary cities would be held responsible for their own migrants. The bill seeks to restrict the use of FEMA Shelter and Services Program funding for transporting migrants to other municipalities without permission from local authorities. This initiative aims to ensure that sanctuary cities cannot overwhelm resources in non-sanctuary locations by transporting desperate people without proper documentation and sponsorship to provide for their needs.
In a video released to social media, Owens directly addressed sanctuary cities, calling them out for cheering on open borders and welcoming migrants with open arms, only to turn around and ship them into other communities once their own resources become overwhelmed. The proposed legislation aims to hold sanctuary cities accountable for their actions and prevent them from shifting the burden onto non-sanctuary municipalities. The SCORE Act would require documented sponsors at the destination of migrants being transported to ensure that they will not require government shelter, as well as mandate the Government Accountability Office to produce quarterly reports on FEMA grants recipients to ensure compliance with the rules.
Owens’ motivation for pursuing this legislation stemmed from an incident in which Denver authorities provided over 1,500 tickets for illegal migrants to travel to Salt Lake City, Utah, without notifying local officials. This practice of sending migrants from sanctuary cities to non-sanctuary cities has been seen as a loophole in the system and a means of circumventing local resources. By introducing the SCORE Act, Owens aims to close this loophole and cut off funding that enables sanctuary cities to continue this practice. He emphasized the need to address the crisis caused by the Biden-Harris administration’s open border policies and prevent sanctuary cities from exacerbating the situation by passing the responsibility onto other municipalities.
The proposed legislation has garnered support from those who believe that sanctuary cities should be held accountable for their actions and prevented from further straining resources in non-sanctuary communities. The SCORE Act seeks to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not used to support the transportation of migrants from one city to another without proper authorization. By mandating oversight and reporting requirements, the bill aims to increase transparency and ensure that FEMA funds are used appropriately to support migrants awaiting court appearances. Owens’ efforts to address the influx of migrants resulting from open border policies and prevent sanctuary cities from transferring the burden to non-sanctuary municipalities have been met with both praise and criticism.
As the discussions surrounding the Sanctuary City Oversight and Responsibility in Enforcement (SCORE) Act continue, it remains to be seen how this proposed legislation will impact the handling of migrants in the United States. Republican Rep. Burgess Owens’ initiative to hold sanctuary cities accountable for their own migrants and prevent them from transferring the burden onto non-sanctuary municipalities has sparked debates on immigration policies and resource allocation. By restricting the use of FEMA Shelter and Services Program funding for transporting migrants and increasing oversight on grant recipients, the bill aims to address the challenges posed by sanctuary cities’ actions and ensure compliance with federal regulations. The SCORE Act represents an effort to mitigate the impact of open border policies on local communities and uphold the rule of law in addressing illegal immigration issues.
