Speech #1100098618

Madam Speaker. I rise today to introduce the Local Law Enforcement Restoration Act of 2007 in response to the recent decision by a federal judge to strike down a local ordinance in Hazleton. Pennsylvania aimed at addressing out of control illegal immigration in that community. The purpose of that local ordinance was to keep illegal aliens from taking up residence within the towns jurisdiction or taking local jobs. I believe that my legislation is necessary at this time in order to provide clarity and ensure that local elected officials are able to enforce ordinances against illegal immigration in their communities. Immigration enforcement has already overburdened our federal law enforcement agencies. and state and local governments should not be hampered when they want to step in where the federal government has failed. The federal judge misread current federal immigration law and communities should not be penalized by overreaching federal judges. My legislation simply clarifies the right of local communities and states to address the consequences of illegal immigration within their jurisdictions. A number of other communities and several states have taken similar approaches to address illegal immigration in their communities. Given the Federal Governments failure to act to enforce the laws already on the books to combat illegal immigration. a growing number of state and city officials across the United States are pursuing laws similar to those enacted in Hazelton. These elected officials are driven by Washingtons failure to control our borders or deal with the more than 12 million illegal immigrants living in the U.S. It is important to remove any ambiguity about the ability of states and localitiesthe ones who bear the financial costs associated with illegal immigrationto enforce their local ordinances aimed at addressing illegal immigration in their community. In many ways. illegal immigration is the ultimate unfunded mandatethe federal government fails to control the border. but then saddles states and localities with the costs imposed by illegal aliens (in the form of education spending. public services. and law enforcement costs). It is important to clarity that states and localities are not preempted by federal law from imposing civil or criminal sanctions upon those who employ. recruit or refer for a fee for employment. unauthorized aliens. In the case of the ruling against Hazleton. the judge went well beyond the intent of federal law. Essentially. he said that cities and states are powerless to discourage illegal immigration within their jurisdiction. The good news is that by amending the INA we can address this problem and provide the degree of clarity to this issue that would remove any ambiguity in the law. My legislation does just this. and makes sure that cities and states have leeway to reinforce federal immigration law. If you believe that the Federal Government has failed to effectively enforce our immigration laws. and believe that the Federal Government should ensure that states and local communities have the ability to discourage illegal immigration consistent with federal law. then join me in passing the The Local Law Enforcement Restoration Act of 2007.