State. and Federal officials. I do not support the bill before us today. The bill we will soon be voting on would target all undocumented immigrants for deportation. It would divert already stretched local law enforcement resources away from dangerous criminals and from policing in their own communities. I do not support such an action. This bill also includes a detention requirement that goes beyond dangerous individualsit would cover any immigrant sought to be detained. This is a standard that could be abused in another administration. and it is potentially a huge unfunded mandate to impose on States and localities. In addition to being an unfunded mandate. the bill would make drastic cuts to police departments. sheriffs departments. and local community programs. Specifically it would cut the COPS Hiring Program. the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program. known as SCAAP. and the Community Development Block Grant Program. Last year. 21 California jurisdictions received $13.2 million in COPS hiring grants to hire police officers. California also received $57 million in SCAAP funds to help cover costs of holding undocumented immigrants. And California communities received $356.9 million under the Community Development Block Grant Program. As a former mayor. I know how important these funds are to local communities. The bill would also impose lengthy Federal prison sentences on all undocumented immigrants. This would include mothers crossing the border to see their children. It would include agricultural workers who are vital to Californias economy.
Keywords matched
undocumented deportation immigrant immigrants