Blackburn, Cassidy, Carter unveil bicameral bill to enforce U.S. immigration laws

U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) joined U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) on May 17 to introduce the bicameral Empowering Law Enforcement Act of 2023, which aims to uphold America’s immigration laws.

“Local law enforcement is having to pick up the pieces for a failed Biden border policy,” said Sen. Cassidy. “This bill gives them some help.”

“Biden’s border crisis is so bad that Texas troopers who were supposed to be reinforcing the Austin Police Department have been sent to the border instead,” Sen. Blackburn tweeted on May 17. “This crisis is unprecedented.”

The senators introduced S. 1640 alongside bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) to provide for enhanced federal enforcement of, and state and local assistance in the enforcement of, the immigration laws of the United States, according to the text of the bill.

“The crisis at our southern border is an all-hands-on-deck situation,” tweeted Rep. Carter, who sponsored the same-named H.R. 3407 with three GOP cosponsors. “In honor of #NationalPoliceWeek, @SenTuberville & I introduced a bill that empowers local law enforcement to enforce our immigration laws.”

If enacted, the Empowering Law Enforcement Act would grant state and local law enforcement immigration enforcement authority to investigate, identify, apprehend, arrest, detain, or transfer an illegal immigrant who has entered the U.S., according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.

Additionally, the bill would provide the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with flexibility on how long a criminal alien may be detained, extending the 180-day period to ensure violent criminals are not released back into communities, the summary says.

“Like all our law enforcement officers right now, thanks to the dangerous ‘defund the police’ movement, our border patrol agents are overworked and are not properly resourced or supported,” Rep. Carter said. “This bill will empower law enforcement to enforce immigration laws, even in sanctuary cities, so that they can keep our communities safe and restore law and order.”

The bill also would ensure that illegal immigrants are detained in federal custody upon state or local law enforcement request; reimburse state or local authorities for related incarceration and transportation costs; and promote immigration information sharing between DHS and the FBI for the benefit of state and local law enforcement, among other provisions, the summary says.

The Federation for American Immigration Reform supports the measure.