Yet. in meeting these urgent needs. H.R. 4481 recognizes that State and local governments have the primary responsibility for combating crime within their own jurisdictions. This bill simply provides the means whereby. in special situations such as the Mariel boatlift in 1980. the continuing influx of illegal aliens In south Florida and the escalating criminal activities due to increased drug trafficking. these authorities may apply to the Federal law enforcement community to step in quickly with assistance that augments. but does not override. the local efforts. In the past. there have been successful efforts to obtain additional funds from the Federal Government to assist with extraordinary expenses incurred by local police agencies as a result of the refugee influx. However. such support came sparingly and with too much obfuscation and delay. H.R. 4481 facilitates this entire process by permitting application to be made in one step directly to the Justice Department. We in south Florida know only too well the price we pay for a lack of coordinated efforts and assistance from the Federal level. I say it is time we stop asking one small group of citizens to cope with crime. bear the burden of the refugees and hold the front line against drug smuggling. We must attack crime on every front with strong. effective tools. This bill not only represents an important step toward streamlining the process of getting needed assistance to deserving local communities. but also helps provide those necessary tools.
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refugees refugee illegal aliens