Speech #1140056351

It makes no sense to continue sending Federal money to local governments that intentionally make it more difficult and costly for the Federal Government to do its job. But this bill doesnt just address sanctuary jurisdictions. It also addresses the problem of illegal immigrants who. like Kate Steinles killer. are deported but illegally reenter the country. which is a felony. This class of illegal aliens has a special disregard and disdain for our Nations laws. and too often these offenders also have serious rap sheets. In 2012. just over a quarter of the illegal aliens apprehended by Border Patrol had prior deportation orders. That is an astounding 99.420 illegal aliens. Of the illegal reentry offenders who were actually prosecuted in fiscal year 2014that is just 16.556 offendersa fraction of those committed a felony. The majority of those who were prosecuted had extensive or recent criminal histories. and many were dangerous criminals. Even though the majority of offenders had serious criminal records. the average prison sentence was just 17 months. down from an average of 22 months in 2008. In fact. more than a quarter of illegal reentry offenders received a sentence below the guidelines range because the government sponsored the low sentence. Because we are failing to adequately deter illegal aliens who have already been deported from illegally reentering the country. I introduced Kates Law in the Senate. I wish to thank Senators VITTER and GRASSLEY for working with me to incorporate elements of Kates Law into this bill.