House Republicans advanced legislation Thursday allowing private citizens to sue sanctuary cities and states that restrict cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The committee voted along party lines to move the measure forward, marking the GOP's latest escalation of its immigration agenda ahead of the November midterms.

The bill would create a private right of action for individuals harmed by crimes committed by undocumented immigrants to seek damages from jurisdictions with sanctuary policies. Republican sponsors on the House Judiciary Committee argued the legislation would pressure Democratic-led cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles and New York to abandon their non-cooperation stances.

Democrats on the committee condemned the measure as unconstitutional and designed for electoral messaging. They argued the bill would expose municipal budgets to crippling litigation and violate principles barring the federal government from commandeering local police. Several warned the measure stood little chance of passing the Senate.

Chicago and Los Angeles officials said they would challenge the law in federal court if enacted, citing prior rulings that struck down efforts to coerce local enforcement. Immigration advocacy groups including the American Civil Liberties Union pledged to oppose the bill.

The vote underscores how immigration remains central to Republican strategy in the closing weeks before the midterms, with the party seeking to force Democrats into uncomfortable votes on sanctuary policies that polling shows divide the electorate.