It needs to be clear that this program. the 287(g) program that is being funded and that we are asking more funds to be appropriated for. is voluntary. Cities are not required to participate. Sanctuary cities. and we know what cities they are. that harbor illegals. they wont participate. They dont have to participate. But not all cities in the United States are sanctuary cities. Some cities want to help clean up the crime problem in their neighborhoods. One way they can do it is to receive Federal funds. going to local law enforcement. who know best about policing and who the people are in the area and what criminals they are. to track those individuals illegally in the country and make sure they are legally deported back where they came from. We find that it works. and it works very well. For example. in local jails. sheriffs use the 287(g) program to find out who foreign gang members are. like the MS13 gang members. Once they are in custody. they can determine who those individuals are. that they are illegally in the United States. and. as soon as they are released from jail. which happens to all of them. rather than be released back on the streets of our cities. they will be deported back where they came from. Now that doesnt seem to happen as much as it should. We have "catch and release" of illegals in our county jail system. Then we got to go catch them again and then try to have them deported after some crime is committed. So I think it is wise to use the 750.000 local peace officers in the United States. those peace officers that want to participate in the 287(g) program. train them with Federal funds and allow them to police their own jails and their neighborhoods so that people who are convicted of criminal conduct. that are illegally in the United States. once they are captured. we can deport them rather than continue to release them back on our streets. So I want to commend the gentlewoman from Virginia for proposing this important amendment asking for more funds for local law enforcement to do their job).
Identified stereotypes
Associating undocumented immigrants with crime and gang membership (MS13).