Speech #1140056469

Madam President. I rise to speak very briefly about the Stop Sanctuary Cities Act. which I was proud to cosponsor in the Senate. Simply put. this legislation protects American citizens from criminal illegal immigrants. Today. at least 340 cities across our country are choosing not to enforce our Nations immigration laws. These sanctuary cities have become a safe haven for criminals who are not only in the United States illegally but also are committing additional crimes and repeatedly reentering trying our country after being deported. This summer we witnessed the tragic impact this lawlessness has on American citizens when Kate Steinle was murdered in San Francisco. a sanctuary city. by a felon living in our country illegally and who was previously deported five separate times. Three months prior to Kates tragic death. the Department of Homeland Security actually asked San Francisco to detain her murderer. but the sanctuary city refused to cooperate and released the criminal back into the community. Had they not done that. had they turned that person over to Homeland Security as they were requested. Kate might still be with us. This is unconscionable. I do not think I can overstate the importance of this Stop Sanctuary Cities Act to the American people and to the people of my home State of Georgia. The fact is that Kate Steinle did not have to die at the hands of a seventime convicted felon and a fivetime deportee. Kate and many others would not have died if our country had a functional immigration system and a government that actually enforces our laws. This is why it is absolutely crucial that we stop sanctuary cities and address this illegal immigration crisis. which has also become a national security crisis. This bill would have done just that. and yet we were not able to even get it on the floor to have a debate. This is what drives people in my home State absolutely apoplectic.