The Republicans from Congress continued to turn the spotlight on illegal immigration this week, as the House passed a bill that would now punish sanctuary cities for withholding federal funds.

Sanctuary cities are cities in the United States that have taken a stand not to disclose to Immigration and Customs Enforcement or other federal officials and agencies when illegal immigrants are released from their custody. This measure is what critics say added to the reasons why a woman was killed in the city of San Francisco (a sanctuary city) and others. The relatives of the deceased had testified before Congress this week.

The vote received a lopsided 241-179, with only about a few dozen members of each party crossing the side.

It was pledged by President Obama recently to veto the bill, which is opposed by the Major County Sheriffs’ Association and the Fraternal Order of Police.

The vote is a part of the continuing week of messaging by the Republicans on immigration and sanctuary cities. Recently an emotional briefing was heard from the relatives of those killed or alleged to be killed by undocumented immigrants at the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Earlier this week one of the fathers whose daughter was killed recently testified. While he supported legislation to “take these undocumented immigrant felons off our streets for good,” he also suggested the idea of differentiating between types of felonies when dealing with criminal aliens.