Speech #1030111768

My amendment requires that. consistent with the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution. State and local governments provide information to duly authorized Federal immigration authorities when such information is necessary to enforce our Nations immigration laws. I am confident that State and local governments will understand the importance of this cooperation and will comply with the requirements of this amendment if it is adopted. My amendment also calls for the Attorney General. together with the Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. to report to the Congress and the President 6 months after this legislation Is enacted regarding the level of State and local cooperation in this important area. This report will enable the Congress to assess the extent to which State and local noncooperation with the INS is an obstacle to enforcing our Nations immigration laws. Any jurisdiction the Attorney General determines Is not cooperating with the INS would not be entitled to share in funds appropriated under this pending legislation until that noncooperation policy is discontinued. My amendment does not require State or local governments to become responsible for enforcement of Federal immigration laws. That is a Federal responsibility. But my amendment does say that those localities that have adopted official policies of noncooperation with Federal law enforcement authorities on immigration issues are not entitled to share in funds appropriated under this pending legislation. While enforcement of immigration laws is a Federal responsibility and enforcement of criminal laws is generally a State and local responsibility. clearly the two are not mutually exclusive domains. In the current public debate regarding U.S. immigration laws and policies. many State and local officials have been highly critical of what they see as the Federal Governments inability to effectively police our Nations borders. Yet. by adopting noncooperation laws and policies. these jurisdictions are only making it that much harder to adopt an effective governmental response to this most serious problem. I believe this amendment will help achieve the important goal of getting State and local governments to work together with Federal authorities.