Speech #1140044791

Madam Speaker. I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 3009. which would make communities across the country less safe from crime. This legislation would withhold needed Federal funding from cities that prohibit their law enforcement authorities from collecting information on a persons immigration status or that have policies restricting the disclosure of this information to other governmental entities. Many cities. including New York. have made the reasonable determination that they will not question victims of crime or witnesses to a crime about their immigration status. They believe it is counterproductive to make them afraid to cooperate with law enforcement. But this bill says that we in Congress know better. and. in the name of protecting public safety. we will deny such cities the funds that they need to protect the public safety. Many cities think that their communities are safer when a victim of domestic violence feels comfortable asking the police for protection from their abuser without fear of deportation. They believe that witnesses to a murder ought to step forward and assist law enforcement in tracking down the perpetrator without fear that they will face consequences of their own if they step forward. They think that good policing depends on building trust with their residents and that striking fear among immigrants that they may be deported if they report a crime makes everyone less safe. Punishing residents of cities whose officials have made such decisions is both unfair and unwise. New York City alone could lose $57 million under this legislation. This would not only punish the public officials who set these policies and the undocumented residents in their communities. but it would punish all innocent people who depend on these Federal resources to protect public safety. My heart is with the Steinle family. and we all share their outrage at Kates senseless murder. But this bill and other attempts to punish socalled sanctuary cities would do nothing to address the issues that might have prevented her death. Instead of taking positive steps to improve communication between Federal. State. and local authorities. this bill simply demonizes immigrants and perpetuates the myth that they are more prone to commit a crime than is the nativeborn population. This legislation might fit comfortably in Donald Trumps campaign platform. but it has no business on the House floor. I urge my colleagues to vote "no."