Washington,
July 16, 2015
|
Mary Carpenter
(202-834-0386)
Congressman Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (GA-01) is working to strip federal funding for so-called “sanctuary cities” which resist or refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. The move comes in the wake of the tragic murder of 32-year-old Kate Steinle in one such city – San Francisco – allegedly by an illegal alien who is a seven-time felon.
To crack down on the practice, Carter has cosponsored Representative Lou Barletta’s (PA-11) legislation H.R. 3002, the Mobilizing Against Sanctuary Cities Act, to prohibit any federal funding for a minimum of one year to any state or local government which has a policy or law that prevents them from assisting immigration authorities in enforcing federal immigration law.
“No entity that refuses to cooperate getting these criminals off the street should have the benefit of federal taxpayer dollars,” said Carter. “As a former Mayor, I find it appalling that anyone serving in public office would create a safe haven for dangerous illegal aliens who will take the lives of others like Kate Steinle. How many violent crimes have to occur before we take a stand and say ‘enough’?”
Immigration and Customs Enforcement reported that 1,800 illegal immigrants released by sanctuary cities last year were charged with 7,490 new crimes, including the horrifying offenses of rape and child abuse. More than 1,000 of the offenders remain free.
“These cities are not just imperiling their own citizens, they are putting at risk the safety of citizens across the country,” Carter said. “If they continue to refuse to cooperate in the interest of public safety, Congress must act to ensure taxpayers are not on the hook to subsidize these misguided and dangerous policies.”
Carter has also cosponsored Representative Jody Hice’s (GA-10) legislation H.R. 2793, the TRAC Act, to require Immigration and Customs Enforcement to proactively register illegal immigrants convicted of a sex crime on the local sex offender registry.
Carter is a member of the House Homeland Security Committee which is charged with oversight of federal border security.
