Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia Introduces Bill to End Potential Federal Coercion on Local Police and Restore Community Trust

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29) introduced the Restoring Community Trust Act of 2026, legislation aimed at stopping the federal government from compelling state and local governments to act as extensions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), restoring constitutional balance, and protecting public safety.

The bill repeals 8 U.S.C. §1373, a federal law that has been used to coerce cities and police departments into sharing immigration-status information, including through threats involving various federal law enforcement grants. By repealing this law, the bill restores local control and helps ensure immigration enforcement remains a federal responsibility, not a burden placed on local police.

The legislation comes amid national outrage over the Trump administration's aggressive federal immigration operations across the country, including recent incidents in Minneapolis in which two U.S. citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good, were killed by federal immigration law enforcement officers.

"What we're seeing from ICE is not law enforcement. It's an abuse of power, and people are losing their lives. Across this country and right here in Texas, communities are being terrorized. The Trump administration has weaponized immigration enforcement, turning routine police encounters into deportation traps and forcing local officers to act as federal agents. Families are afraid to call the police, and that makes every community less safe," Congresswoman Garcia said. "My bill repeals the outdated federal law partly driving this abuse. It restores local control, protects public safety, and puts police back where they belong, serving their communities, not carrying out deportations."

In early 2025, the Trump administration expanded its use of a federal law enforcement database known as the National Crime Information Center, or NCIC. News reports described ICE adding more than 700,000 people connected to civil immigration enforcement into the system, which led to new guidance in many places directing local departments to contact federal immigration authorities when the database flagged an administrative immigration warrant. This has helped turn routine police encounters, like a traffic stop, into immigration enforcement triggers and spread fear in communities.

At the same time, the Trump administration has repeatedly pushed state and local law enforcement to play a larger role in civil immigration enforcement. Recent public statements from the White House continue to urge local jurisdictions to increase cooperation with federal immigration operations.

As a result, many families fear that routine interactions with local government, including law enforcement, could lead to immigration consequences. Victims may hesitate to report crimes. Witnesses may avoid cooperating with police. When people are afraid to seek help, everyone is less safe.

The Restoring Community Trust Act of 2026 ends this federal coercion. The bill does not ban cooperation with ICE. State and local governments may still communicate or cooperate with federal immigration authorities consistent with state and local law. It simply repeals a federal statute that has been used to coerce local governments and creates legal confusion.

In Texas, state law can still compel certain forms of cooperation with federal immigration authorities. This bill is a federal fix that removes the federal government's ability to use §1373 as a lever against cities and counties, including through federal funding means, and helps restore clearer lines of responsibility and accountability.

The Restoring Community Trust Act of 2026 is co-sponsored by Representatives Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13), Yvette Clarke (D-NY-09), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL-01), Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24), Dina Titus (D-NV-01), Troy Carter (D-LA-02), Andrea Salinas (D-OR-06), Jesús "Chuy" García (D-IL-04), and Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01).

Read the full text HERE.