WASHINGTON – Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), along with 18 Senate colleagues, reintroduced the Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act. The bill would allow local law enforcement in sanctuary cities to cooperate with federal immigration authorities and would block sanctuary cities from receiving taxpayer-funded grants. For a full list of cosponsors, click here.
“When the whims of local politicians prevent law enforcement officers from doing their jobs, our communities are less safe and our nation’s rule of law is shortchanged,” Grassley said. “City governments should not tie the hands of their law enforcement officers who are trying to comply with federal immigration law. Any city that chooses to force their officers to ignore our laws doesn’t deserve the benefit of taxpayer-funded federal grants.”
“So-called ‘sanctuary cities’ refuse to enforce the laws on the books and release violent criminals in our country illegally—including rapists and murders—who go on to prey on both American citizens and the immigrant community,” Cruz said. “Moreover, many of these sanctuary jurisdictions actively prevent state and local law enforcement from coordinating with their federal counterparts. They release murderers, rapists, and burglars who end up preying on the community. That is wrong. The American people, and Texas communities in particular, are tired of seeing our laws flouted and the crime that often accompanies illegal immigration. These jurisdictions need to be held accountable, and I will do everything I can to enforce our immigration laws.”
“Sanctuary policies not only jeopardize public safety, they also place an impossible burden on law enforcement officers who have taken an oath to enforce the laws equally and impartially,” said Vincent Vallelong, President of the Sergeants Benevolent Association of the New York City Police Department. “The Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act will ensure that my members and police officers across this country no longer must choose between obeying local political dictates and the duty to protect their communities by cooperating with federal immigration officials to turn over violent criminals.”
“Law enforcement is best able to maintain public safety when we work together at all levels,” said Larry Cosme, President of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association. “Unfortunately, sanctuary cities inhibit law enforcement collaboration, even when officers on the ground have a strong desire to work with federal agencies. This is a dangerous game to play. Especially considering federal law enforcement will not abdicate our authority to enforce the law against those that pose a threat. Therefore, sanctuary cities merely require additional federal resources to fill intelligence gaps and impose additional risks on law enforcement responding to situations.”
“The notion that a municipality can forbid law enforcement officials from sharing information or complying with a lawful detainer from federal immigration officials borders on insanity,” said Sam Cabral, the International President for International Union of Police Associations, AFL-CIO. “We have seen repeatedly the victimization of people, including children, by persons who have been released from custody in disobedience to these detainers. For the federal government to assist these municipalities with funding is also absurd.”
The full text of the legislation is available HERE.
