U.S. Sens. Tim Scott (R-SC), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Mike Rounds (R-SD), and John Hoeven (R-ND) joined 15 of their GOP colleagues to introduce legislation that would end taxpayer-funded grants to sanctuary cities while also permitting local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities to cooperate on managing illegal, criminal aliens.
“Sanctuary cities have emboldened criminals and endangered American citizens and it is wrong that our taxpayers are being forced to foot the bill for this reprehensible policy,” Sen. Scott said. “This legislation will bring common-sense back to the table by eliminating taxpayer grants to these criminal safe havens and empowering law enforcement to protect our communities.”
The Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act, S. 1068, which U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) sponsored on March 30 with 19 original cosponsors, including Sens. Scott, Capito, Tillis, Rounds, and Hoeven, as well as U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Deb Fischer (R-NE), would ensure that state and local law enforcement officers are permitted to cooperate with federal officials to protect U.S. communities from violent criminals and suspected terrorists who are illegally present in the United States, according to the congressional record bill summary.
“Our country welcomes individuals from around the world who want to be a part of our country, but we expect everyone to follow the rule of law and obtain residency or citizenship through the legal process,” Sen. Capito said. “Our laws must be enforced as written, and any city that chooses not to enforce federal immigration laws should not be allowed to use federal funds to support their liberal activist efforts to undermine law and order.”
Sen. Tillis pointed out that “reckless sanctuary policies” have allowed dangerous criminals back into communities. “That number will continue to increase as liberal politicians put politics ahead of the safety and security of their constituents,” he said. “This legislation is a step towards law and order.”
According to Sen. Rounds, if local and state governments fail to uphold federal laws that seek to keep families safe and stop dangerous criminals, there should be consequences.
“These laws are on the books to improve public safety and strengthen national security,” Sen. Rounds said. “We must take action if we are ever to find a long-term solution to strengthen our borders and fix the current border crisis.”
“The crisis at our southern border is out of control,” agreed Sen. Hoeven. “To get a handle on it, the Biden administration needs to enforce our laws. Sanctuary cities disregard federal immigration laws and need to be held accountable for their actions.
“This legislation will help to stop sanctuary cities and ensure that we are upholding the law of the land and maintaining the rule of law,” he added.
Among the many organizations that support S. 1068 are the Sergeants Benevolent Association of the New York City Police Department, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the National Association of Police Organizations, and the AFL-CIO.
The bill has been referred to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee for consideration.