Lucille Roybal-Allard: “The recent killing of Kathryn Steinle in San Francisco is a tragedy, and my thoughts are with her family during this…”

“The recent killing of Kathryn Steinle in San Francisco is a tragedy, and my thoughts are with her family during this very difficult time. Unfortunately, the Majority has chosen to politicize this tragedy by bringing this misguided and unacceptable bill to the floor. H.R. 3009 would withhold Department of Justice grants specifically targeted to enhance public safety, support community policing, and assist crime victims from states and law enforcement agencies that do not collect information regarding a person's immigration status. We can and should ensure that serious criminals who are dangerous and enforcement priorities for ICE are not released from the custody of local law enforcement. However, it is misguided and counterproductive to force local law enforcement officers to inquire about a person's immigration status at any time and for any reason in order to be eligible to receive critical public safety funding. It is also wrong and irresponsible that this bill misrepresents the immigrant community as one comprised entirely of criminals. In fact, decades of research show that immigrants are less likely to commit serious crimes than native-born persons. Earlier this year, many Republicans insisted that our Homeland Security Appropriations bill include anti-immigrant riders, and threatened to shut down the Department of Homeland Security if they did not get their way. Sadly, H.R.…”