If the FBI and the DEA are cut. you could try to argue that State and local law enforcement officials would nevertheless step in to fill the gap in our fight against crime and drugs. You cannot even try to make that argument about INS cuts. Under the Constitution. the Federal Government and INS have exclusive responsibility and authority to enforce immigration laws and policy. State and local governments cannot get involved in this area. and a loss on the Federal level is a loss that cannot be offset by increased activity on the State and local level. A local police officer would have the authority to arrest a drug trafficker. but he would not have the authority to do anything about illegal immigration. For these reasons. I believe we need to return spending in the law enforcement function to current policy levels in the years ahead.
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immigration illegal immigration