But we wont even get that debate because this bill was fasttracked as a Republican priority. and it didnt even go through the regular committee process. The U.S. Senate cannot nurture an environment that demonizes and dehumanizes Latinos and the entire immigrant community. By threatening to strip CDBG funding from cities. Senate Republicans are saying that it is OK to withhold funding from economically vulnerable American citizens. senior citizens. veterans. and children to promote their antiimmigrant agenda and that it is OK to cut COPS funding. which has long promoted public safety through community policing. A one -size -fitsall approach that punishes State and local law enforcement agencies that engage in wellestablished community policing practices just doesnt make sense. Local communities and local law enforcement are better judges than Congress of what keeps their communities safe. Police need cooperation from the community to do their jobs. That is why over the past several years hundreds of localities across our Nation. with the support of some of the toughest police chiefs and sheriffs. have limited their involvement in Federal immigration enforcement out of concerns for community safety and violations of the Fourth Amendment. They need witnesses and victims to be able to come forward without fear of recrimination because of their immigrant status. and fear of deportation should never be a barrier to reporting crime or seeking help from the police. This fear undermines trust between law enforcement and the communities they protect and creates a chilling effect. These policies were put in place because local jurisdictions dont want to do ICEs job for them.
Keywords matched
antiimmigrant immigration immigrant deportation