Sheila Jackson Lee: “As a senior member of the Committees on the Judiciary and on Homeland Security, I rise in strong opposition to H.R.…”

“As a senior member of the Committees on the Judiciary and on Homeland Security, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 3009, the so-called ``Enforce the Law for Sanctuary Cities Act.'' I oppose this legislation because it undermines public safety, fails to address needed immigration reform, promotes a deportation-only approach, and will not achieve the Republican leadership's stated purpose in bringing the bill to the floor. Mr. Speaker, nothing in H.R. 3009 would have prevented the tragic killing of an innocent young woman in San Francisco. Instead, this bill is being rushed to the floor for the sole purpose of exploiting that tragedy by scapegoating immigrants and undocumented persons, holding them responsible for the actions of one person, and avoiding action on comprehensive immigration reform. It is undisputable that victims of murder deserve justice. H.R. 3009 the ``Enforce the Law for Sanctuary Cities Act'' would push undocumented immigrants further into the shadows and create and an environment with heightened threats to our safety and ability to seek justice. Stripping state and local law enforcement agencies of key funding and resources impedes their ability to combat crime and protect our communities. Surely, House Republicans do not want to tie the hands of law enforcement when it comes to preventing and investigating criminal acts.…”