Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., is gearing up to introduce a sweeping immigration package meant to crush sanctuary cities and bolster protections of federal agents. (Heather Diehl/Getty Images)
Schmitt’s legislation comes as anti-ICE protests continue around the country, most notably in Minneapolis, where agitators have clashed with federal agents, resulting in the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good.
"This environment demands action," Schmitt said in a statement. "The Protect America Act is a comprehensive, four-part legislative response designed to address the root causes of disorder, restore lawful enforcement authority, protect federal officers from coordinated interference and violence, and prevent the abuse of nonprofit status to shield or support criminal activity."
SCHUMER, JEFFRIES MEND RIFT, PRESENT UNITED FRONT ON DHS REFORMS AS DEADLINE NEARS
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks at a news conference with Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii., after the passage of government funding bills at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., Jan. 30, 2026. (Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Schmitt’s legislation would also strengthen penalties for illegal entry and reentry into the country by ending catch-and-release and mandating detention, make illegal entry a felony, and boost penalties for illegal reentry to include fines and up to two years in prison.
The fourth prong seeks to de-fang NGOs by revoking the tax-exempt status of any nonprofit that promotes, incites, or provides material support for criminal violence.
His legislative package comes as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and congressional Democrats offered their own, competing list of demands meant to rein in DHS and ICE, which they are demanding be considered and codified in exchange for their support of the now-sidelined Homeland Security funding bill.
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Schmitt and Senate Republicans haven’t taken well to many of the proposals from their counterparts, notably requiring ICE agents to get judicial warrants, de-masking federal agents and requiring full identification when in the field.
"My view is we're not doing any of this stuff until, unless, we end sanctuary city status, because that's what's causing all of this, is the lack of cooperation," Schmitt said. "It's the confrontations that are being created, and why you don't see this in blue or red jurisdictions that aren't sanctuary status. So this solution is very obvious. I think there's a political grandstanding on their part."
Alex Miller is a writer for Fox News Digital covering the U.S. Senate.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/sweeping-bill-crush-sanctuary-cities-protect-ice-agents-unveiled-senate