Speech #1140105440

We can do something today by voting to proceed to S. 3100 and S. 2193. Sanctuary policies and practices have allowed thousands of dangerous criminals to be released back into the community. and the effects have been disastrous. Even the Secretary of Homeland Security acknowledges that sanctuary cities are "counterproductive to public safety." He has said these policies were "unacceptable." Just last week. before the Senate Judiciary Committee. the Secretary said he wanted to see more cooperation from various counties and cities in working with immigration enforcement authorities. He said he has not been successful with Philadelphia and Cook County. IL. And we know that nothing has changed in San Francisco where Kate Steinle was killed. The Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act. authored by Senator TOOMEY. addresses the problem of sanctuary jurisdictions in a common sense and balanced way. There seems to be consensus that sanctuary jurisdictions should be held accountable. so we do that with the power of the purse. This bill limits the availability of certain Federal dollars to cities and States that have sanctuary policies or practices. The Toomey bill also provides protection for law enforcement officers who do want to cooperate and comply with detainer requests. It would address the liability issue created by recent court decisions by providing liability protection to local law enforcement who honor ICE detainers. Major law enforcement groups support this measure because it reduces the liability of officers who want to do their job and comply with immigration detainers. Today. we will also vote on Kates law. a bill honoring Kate Steinle and many others who have been killed or injured by people who have repeatedly flouted our immigration laws. Kates law addresses criminals attempting to reenter the United States. many times after we have expended the resources to remove them. The bill creates a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years for any alien who has been deported and illegally reenters the United States who is also an aggravated felon or has been twice convicted of illegal reentry. This is necessary to take certain individuals off our streets who are dangerous to our communities and have no respect for our laws. This bill has broad support by law enforcement groups. It also has the support of groups that want enforcement of our immigration laws. And it has the support of the Remembrance Project. a group devoted to honoring and remembering Americans who have been killed by illegal aliens. I would also mention that we could have the opportunity to vote on Sarahs law if we get on either one of these bills today. Sarahs law. which was introduced by Senators ERNST.