An End to Sanctuary Cities?

Immigration
Laken Riley Act (H.R. 7511)
This bill has Passed the House of Representatives
Bill Summary

The bill seeks to require the detention of any immigrants charged with crimes of theft, burglary, shoplifting, or larceny. The bill would also make immigrants inadmissible to the US if they have committed such acts in the past. The definition of each act will vary on each state in which the acts were committed. This bill also effectively eliminates sanctuary cities by federalizing the prosecution of immigrants suspected of crimes and eliminating the role of state and local attorneys. The bill would also facilitate civil action against the Attorney General or the Department of Homeland security if a resident of the state or the state itself is found to be harmed, this bill places a monetary definition of harm with a minimum of $100 in losses. Sponsor: Rep. Mike Collins (Republican, Georgia, District 10)
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Opponents say

•      "The constant drumbeat of false and hateful anti-immigrant rhetoric from extremist Republican politicians has real life consequences. We have seen this play out with the tragic mass shooting in El Paso, Texas. I am grateful that the FBI took swift action to prevent another hate-filled act of violence.  The dangerous rhetoric and mis- and dis-information about migrants from extremist media and politicians must stop, it continues to put migrants and our Latino communities in danger." Source: Rep. Nanette Barragán (Democrat, California, District 44)


•      "We remain committed to working in good faith to modernize our outdated immigration system on a bipartisan basis and through a deliberative process. We cannot truly secure our border and help American communities without increasing lawful pathways for migration and legalizing long-time undocumented immigrants who put food on our tables, care for our elderly, and form the fabric of our communities." Source: Sen. Alex Padilla (Democrat, California)

Proponents say

•      "For the state of Georgia we have been grieving with the family of Laken Riley. This was a murder that should have never happened. This is a young lady that should be enjoying her nursing career from the University of Georgia. But the Mayor of Athens and the Sheriff should never have been harboring illegal aliens." Source: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Republican, Georgia, District 14).


•      "President Biden’s refusal to deport criminal illegal aliens, secure the southern border, finish the wall, and reinstate the “Remain in Mexico” policy, various U.S. states, counties, and cities are aiding and abetting the invasion of our country by declaring themselves “sanctuary” jurisdictions. While Athens-Clarke County has not explicitly designated itself a sanctuary country by ordinance, it is a sanctuary county by word and deed. This claim is backed up by, among other things, the Center for Immigration Studies having Clarke County, alongside DeKalb and Clayton Counties, on its ‘Sanctuary Cities List’" Source: Rep. Mike Collins (Republican, Georgia, District 10)

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