Speech #1100153755

Madam Speaker. Federal law requires local governments to cooperate with the Department of Homeland Securitys Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Local law enforcement authorities may turn over individuals who have been apprehended if the police believe they are not legally present in the United States. Unfortunately. many local governments flaunt this requirement and openly boast that they refuse to cooperate with the Federal Government in helping to enforce our immigration laws establishing an irresponsible precedent and frustrating our shared goal of having safe and secure borders. As you know. taxpayers all across the country subsidize local governments through a provision of Federal law that permits States and localities to Issue debt that is exempt from Federal taxes. The motion presents the Members of Congress with a simple question: Is it reasonable to put some strings on this subsidy? If adopted. the motion would clarify that the Federal tax subsidy does not apply to new debt issued by States or localities that declare themselves by statute or other manner to be a sanctuary city for illegal immigrants. In other words. having selfhelped themselves out of helping the Federal Government address the growing burden of illegal immigrants. then they should not expect American taxpayers to subsidize their debt. Madam Speaker. on April 15. we are reminded again about the many Americans who are playing by the rules. yet still feel the squeeze on their family budgets. particularly at tax time. Isnt it only fair that we ask our city mayors and county boards to do the same?