Speech #1100106118

Pt. 19 27095 I want to make sure a witness comes forth and testifies against a perpetrator and has no fear to do so. Senator VITTERs amendment would undermine that ability. Senator VrTERs amendment would undermine the ability of someone who is a victim of a crime and who happens to be in an undocumented capacity to come forward because they might very well be concerned that their status is such that it might create a problem for them. So victims of a crime would not come forward. which not only is inhuman as it relates to the victim of that crimeand that crime could be of all types and manner that was committed against the individualbut the unwillingness of that person to come forward because of fearfearmay lead to another crime committed against someone else by that same individual in that same community. perhaps to a child who might be molested. to a person who might be assaulted. to a family who might get robbed. So instead of catching the perpetrator. the criminal element. and being able to prosecute them either through the witness or through the victim. no. we prefer to deny monies to that community because they have a view that in their own interestand I hear so many times in debates that States and municipalities know best. but when it comes to this. they know nothing.