Speech #1140105412

It is no wonder that this bill has such broad support from the law enforcement community. including the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association. the National Sheriffs Association. and the National Association of Police Organizations. Senator TOOMEYs bill. in conjunction with Senator CRUZs bill. aims to prevent more families from experiencing the heartache that Kate Steinles family has been forced to endure. It has been a year since Kate was tragically murdered in San Francisco by a convicted felon who had been deported five times. What makes this tragedy even more heartbreaking is that it could have been prevented. but San Francisco had an extreme socalled sanctuary city policy of not complying with Federal immigration lawsapparently. even when it came to detaining dangerous criminals residing in our country illegally. In this case. the citys irresponsible policy helped lead to a young woman senselessly losing her life at the hands of a felon who should have never been on the streets to begin with. Senator CRuzs bill is about getting dangerous criminals off our streets and keeping our communities safer. It will prevent individuals who have been convicted of coming here illegally and who have been convicted of committing serious criminal offenses from harming more innocent victims such as Kate Steinle. We are a nation of immigrants. We all appreciate the many contributions that immigrants have made to our country over the years. Americans from both parties know it would be incredibly dishonest to pretend this bill is aimed at lawabiding citizens who enrich our country. rather than those at whom it is really aimedthose who come to this country illegally and have criminal convictions. Americans from both parties also understand that extreme sanctuary city policies can inflict incredible pain on innocent victims and their families. President Obamas own Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security has called sanctuary city policies not acceptable and counterproductive to public safety. We took up similar measures last year. and it was unfortunate to see them blocked. Lets work together now to make the right choice and advance these measures to prevent more tragedies like Kates and support local law enforcement officials who put their lives on the line for us every day.