By ERICA WERNER, Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House will take up a bill this week blocking funding for so-called “sanctuary cities” that resist turning over immigrants to federal authorities.
The move follows the shooting death of a woman in San Francisco this month, allegedly by an immigrant with a criminal record and without legal status.
San Francisco authorities had released the man despite a request from federal officials to keep him in custody.
That was in line with a practice by San Francisco and other jurisdictions that have begun refusing to cooperate with federal immigration orders amid concerns over their legality and their impact on immigrant communities.
The bill by Republican Congressman Duncan Hunter of California would block certain federal grants to cities that don’t honor federal immigration requests.
A similar proposal has been advanced in the Senate, but it’s unclear how far it will go.
The U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National League of Cities on Monday sent a letter to lawmakers protesting any such legislation. “We believe that decisions related to how law enforcement agencies prioritize their resources, direct their workforce and define the duties of their employees must reside with local government leadership,” the letter reads. “This includes defining the role of local police officers in the context of enforcing federal immigration laws.”
Meanwhile, the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday will hear from Jim Steinle, father of Kathryn Steinle, the 32-year-old woman who was shot in San Francisco. Steinle was walking with his daughter along a popular pier in daylight when the shooting happened.
The Archbishop of San Francisco sent a letter Monday urging the committee to “avoid the implementation of policies that punish all immigrants for the transgressions of a small minority.”
“I applaud the commitment to public safety of the City of San Francisco and other local jurisdictions and support their right to exercise reasonable and appropriate discretion in the handling of immigrant detainees,” Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone wrote. “A just and humanitarian policy should not be abandoned because of flaws in the system.”
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
ALL WHO ARE IN THIS COUNRY ILLEGAL ARE A CRIMINAL.THEY BOKE THE US LAW BY COMMING HERE ILLEGAL
Regarding the Archbishop’s comments. He is correct a just and humanitarian policy should not be discredited. Sanctuary Is NOT a just policy it is merely harboring criminals. Where was the Archbishop when Kate Steinle was killed. What did he say when the Marine was held in the Mexican jail? Has he spoken up about the Americans held in Iranian prisons?
The above Bill will not harm or punish Immigrants. Immigrants go thru Hell to get to come to this Country. They spend thousands of Dollars in Fees and wait years.
This Bill will block MONEY to the Cities that are above the Law. If they wish to continue the Sanctuary then so be it. They can also foot ALL the bills.
Being of simple mind I would think those helping to harbor would have some kind of Liability Legal & Moral. If one were to hurt one of mine it would be a bad day Black Rock. Not to be taken as any type of threat only a statement.
This bill should block all federal funding, not just certain ones. Cities like San Francisco need to pay the price of not obeying our immigration laws. In fact, the entire state of California should have it’s federal funding p
It’s easy for the Catholic church to be generous when they pay absolutely no taxes, and in fact are being paid by our government to run refugee programs. Of course the Bishop wants more.
Most illegal aliens are wirkers, not invaders.
I would have complete agreement with you if we agree to deport only the freeloaders and REAL criminals.
all of them must be deported and with their anchors…illegal is illegal and it doesn’t matter how long they have been in the country, illegal is illegal and none of them should be allowed back into our country for any reason. Special emphasis on deportation on those who came here while Obama was in office!