Speech #1100052767

Mr. President. I would like to start this mornings debate on immigration by speaking to two of the pending amendments that are before the Senate. First. I would like to speak toward the Coleman amendment. Under Senator COLEMANS amendment. he would. in essence. undermine the rights of States and local municipalities which have instructed their police. health. and safety workers from inquiring about the immigration status .of those they serve in order to protect the health and safety and promote the general welfare of the community. As Ronald Reagan said: Here we go again. Over the last several years. particularly in the House of Representatives. there have been different pieces of legislation and amendments offered and debated that would deputize State and local police to enforce what is. in essence. Federal civil immigration law. The ColemanBond amendment would effectively prohibit State and local Government policies that seek to encourage crime reporting and witness cooperation by reassuring immigrant victims that police and other government officials will not inquire into their status. So the amendment would send a mandate from Washington that would end State and local policies that prevent their employees. including police and health and safety workers. from inquiring about the immigration status of those they serve if there is probable cause "-probable cause. exactly what standard we are going to use for that is still. in my mind. not quite definedto believe the individual being questioned is undocumented. Now. I have talked to some of the toughest law enforcement people across the country. Many cities. counties. and police departments around the country have decided that it is a matter of public health and safety not to ask. not to ask about the immigration status of people when they report crimes or have been the victims of domestic abuse or go to the hospital seeking emergency medical care. Currently. scores of cities and States across the Nation have such confidentiality policies in place. some upwards of 20 years of having such policies in place. The point of these policies is to make sure immigrants report crimes and information to police and do not stay silent for fear that their immigrant status or that of a loved one could come under scrutiny if they contact the authorities. Information is one of the most powerful tools law enforcement has to prosecute individuals in the course of a crime. to know who the perpetrator was. to know who was in the gang activity. to know who is the drug dealer. Think of the potential chilling effect this amendment could have on the willingness and ability of immigrant crime victims and witnesses. those who have been victims of domestic abuse. and those who may need emergency health care to turn for assistance if they feared that deportation rather than receiving assistance would result. That is why cities and States have passed local laws and set policies limiting when police and city and county employees can ask people to prove their immigration status. States and local police have long sought to separate their activities from those of the Federal immigration agents in order to enhance public safety. Now. why do States and local law enforcement entities do that? Why is that? Because when immigrant community residents begin to see State and local police as deportation agents. they stop reporting crimes and assisting in investigations. It undermines the trust and cooperation with imriigrant communities that are essential elements of communityoriented policing. There are numerous examples of police opposing such efforts. In fact. in 2005. Princeton. NJ. police chief Anthony Federico said: Local police agencies depend on the cooperation of immigrants. legal and illegal. in solving all sorts of crimes and in the maintenance of public order. Without assurances that they will not be subject to an immigration investigation and possible deportation. many immigrants with critical information would not come forward. even when heinous crimes are committed against them or their families. So those who are entrusted to protect us understand that the relationship of trust built with the immigrant community would be ruined overnight if this provision becomes law. This amendment would also cause millions of people in this country. not just immigrantsnot just immigrantsto think twice about getting the medical treatment they need. Why would we discourage individuals from receiving medical care? Lets think about the possible consequences for a second.