This bill defines a "sanctuary jurisdiction" as one that prohibits or restricts its entities from sharing immigration status information or complying with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) detainer requests for aliens, with an exception for alien victims or witnesses of crimes. It creates a private right of action, allowing individuals or their families to sue a state or political subdivision for compensatory damages if they are victims of murder, rape, or a felony committed by an alien who benefited from a sanctuary policy.

The legislation specifies that such civil actions must be brought within 10 years of the crime or death, and prevailing plaintiffs can recover attorney's fees. To encourage compliance, states or political subdivisions accepting certain federal grants, such as those for public works or community development, must agree to waive immunity related to sanctuary-related civil actions.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that state or local entities complying with DHS detainers are deemed to be acting as agents of the Department of Homeland Security. This provision grants them protection from liability in legal proceedings challenging the legality of seizures or detentions made pursuant to such detainers, with the United States being substituted as the defendant in such cases. However, it explicitly states that this does not provide immunity for knowing violations of civil or constitutional rights.

Finally, the bill enhances federal penalties for crimes committed against law enforcement officers. It mandates a minimum 20-year imprisonment for serious injury to a federal, state, or local officer if interstate commerce is involved, and sentences for murder of such officers would be equivalent to first-degree murder. The Attorney General is required to report on prosecutions under these new provisions.