Tom Tiffany: “My amendment would prevent State and local governments who refuse to cooperate with Federal immigration authorities from…”

“My amendment would prevent State and local governments who refuse to cooperate with Federal immigration authorities from being able to obtain Federal funds under this Act. These so-called sanctuary city policies are nothing new. They are also illegal. In fact, they have been illegal since Bill Clinton signed a law making them illegal in the 1990s. As we have seen in recent months, these misguided policies serve as a magnet for illegal aliens--overwhelming schools, hospitals, and other local services. New York Mayor Eric Adams recently conceded that the tidal wave of illegal immigrants flooding into his sanctuary city will cost Big Apple residents a staggering $12 billion. He went on to say the influx will destroy his city. But there is more to this issue than dollars and cents. Because these policies prevent local law enforcement from reporting illegal aliens to ICE, police are often forced to release foreign criminals from custody who, of course, go on to target new victims. That doesn't just put sanctuary cities at risk, it puts every other neighboring community at risk, too. Madam Chair, why are Americans being forced to finance the dangerous and illegal policies of sanctuary cities like New York and Chicago? Why are we being asked to pick up the tab for the problems these jurisdictions are bringing upon themselves? It is time to stop rewarding bad behavior.…”