Vitter Introduces Legislation to Crack Down on Sanctuary Cities
Bill would take away funding for cities that ignore immigration laws
March 6, 2008 -
(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Sen. David Vitter today introduced legislation to restrict Community Oriented Policing Services funding from going to cities with sanctuary policies that bar local law enforcement officials from inquiring as to the immigration status of suspects or reporting illegals to Immigration and Custom Enforcement for deportation.
“Despite laws requiring them to verify the immigration status of suspected illegal aliens, some municipalities have sanctuary policies that stand in clear opposition of federal requirements,” said Vitter. “These policies instruct city employees and law officers not to notify the federal government of the presence of illegal aliens residing in their local communities.”
To ensure compliance with federal law, Vitter’s bill withholds COPS federal funding for cities that choose to violate the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act. The IIRIRA requires local governments to cooperate with Department of Homeland Security’s ICE, but instead many cities have defied the law and have adopted sanctuary policies to protect illegal aliens from enforcement.
“Some of our largest cities practice sanctuary policies that protect and provide assistance to illegal aliens. My amendment instructs DOJ to withhold federal policing funds from those cities that continue their sanctuary city policies,” said Vitter.
http://vitter.senate.gov/?module=PressRoom/PressItem&ID=9d3582a6-bb95-48ba-9aa4-706c7715b66c