Speech #1040190987

Chairman. I rise today to offer this amendment in remembrance of Justin Younie. the 19yearold son of Rick and Vicki Younie. who was brutally attacked. stabbed. and murdered in the small Iowa town in which he was born and raised. Justins killers were illegal aliens to our country. our State. and to the quiet community of Hawarden. While Justins murder is the real tragedy from that night. many in the community were further incensed that the crime was committed by illegal aliens. In fact. one of his attackers had been through the deportation process with the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Just as in Hawarden. many communities are fighting an increasing battle of illegal immigration. Local law enforcement agencies are understandably frustrated by this problem because there is legally nothing that a State or local law enforcement agency can do about a violation of immigration law other than calling the local INS officer to report the case. State and local officials are further frustrated when a deported illegal alien reappears in their jurisdiction. The only recourse in this scenario is to again call the INS office and wait. I offer this amendment today to empower State and local law enforcement agencies with the ability to actively fight the problem of illegal immigration. My amendment will allow State and local law enforcement agencies to enter Into voluntary agreements with the Justice Department to give them the authority to seek. apprehend. and detain those illegal aliens who are subject to an order of deportation. By allowingnot mandatingState and local agencies to Join the fight against illegal immigration. we will begin to slow down the revolving door at our countrys borders. and will hopefully prevent tragedies such as the incident in Hawarden. IA. Mr.