Speech #1090173477

I include for the RECORD the comments of law enforcement associations and departments. police chiefs. sheriff associations. department heads across this country. and other law enforcement individuals to demonstrate how the policy is considered dangerous in this proposal. This bill. opposed by State and local law enforcement raises the question: Why would they be opposed to a bill in which they are being invited in to take over some national law enforcement responsibilities? Well. it is because it will strain the relationship between the police and immigrants and citizens. It will obstruct police in their mission of keeping our streets safe. Essentially the bill is asking the State and local police to pick up the slack for the Federal Government. Now. title H of this same measure. the Alien Smuggler Prosecution Act. should really be examined carefully. Increasing resources for alien smuggling prosecution is quite appropriate. however. this bill will not decrease immigrant smuggling. and it will not resolve any of the fundamental flaws in our immigration system. The bill has nothing to do with the practice known as "catch and release" which has been referred to already. This proposal does little more than tie the hands of courts in immigration cases. Judges will be burdened with new requirements. and other civil cases will be denied their day in court. Just like the field hearings between the bills passed in the House and the immigration bills passed in the Senate. todays bills are clearly meant to distract the American public. Too bad. though. this country has already gotten wise to the smokeandmirrors show. Americans want comprehensive immigration reform and secure borders. and once again this body is failing to deliver.