Congressman Sam Graves

Graves Introduces Legislation Targeting Sanctuary Cities

U.S. Representative Sam Graves today helped introduce a bill targeting cities that knowingly harbor illegal immigrants and protect them from being deported. The Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act would block grant funding from any locality that ignores federal law and withholds information on illegal immigrants from the office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“I am proud to introduce a bill in the House of Representatives that will help strengthen illegal immigration laws,” Rep. Graves said. “About 300 localities in the United States are considered sanctuary cities. My bill will make sure that every city protecting illegal immigrants from deportation will face consequences.”

Rep. Graves joined Congresswoman Diane Black (TN), among other Representatives, in introducing the bill today.

“Across this country, sanctuary cities are thumbing their nose at Congress, flouting our laws, and endangering the lives of their citizens – all while relying on federal funding from American taxpayers. Why on earth would we continue to pay cities for neglecting their most basic duties? It defies logic and demands action. With our bill, sanctuary cities will finally incur real penalties for playing politics with public safety and for willfully ignoring federal immigration laws,” said Congresswoman Diane Black.

The legislation defines a ‘Sanctuary City’ as any locality that forbids its law enforcement from sharing information with federal immigration officials, or refuses the request to hold an illegal immigrant until ICE has time to take the individual into custody. These extreme policies make it nearly impossible for ICE to deport immigrants who are found to be living in the United States illegally.

The Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act will block multiple critical grant programs from cities that continue this practice. These include the Community Development Block Grant, certain Economic Development Administration grants and grants for public works, among others.

“I believe wholeheartedly that illegal immigration is a national security issue,” Graves continued. “Open borders give anyone intent on harming American citizens the ability to get into this country. And the failure to deport immigrants who we know are living here illegally only encourages others to follow their lead. Sanctuary cities are a huge part of that problem.”

Last December, Chicago Mayor - and former adviser to President Obama - Rahm Emanuel established a one million dollar “Legal Protection Fund” for undocumented immigrants living in Chicago. The money will be given to lawyers who represent the 3,000 immigrants living there illegally. A few days later, Los Angeles did the same thing, creating a $10 million fund to protect illegal immigrants facing deportation in L.A.

“It makes me we wonder what these people are thinking. And it makes me angry,” Rep. Graves said. “Illegal immigration is just that – illegal. It’s time for those protecting illegal immigrants to recognize that as well.”

The Caldwell County News

101 South Davis
P.O. Box 218
Hamilton, MO 64644
Phone: 816-583-2116
news@mycaldwellcounty.com

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