Black, Toomey Reintroduce Legislation to Combat Sanctuary Cities

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Diane Black (R-TN-06) and Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) introduced the Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act today. The legislation, introduced with the support of 59 House cosponsors and the backing of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), would withhold key federal funding streams from jurisdictions that forbid their law enforcement officers from cooperating with federal immigration officials. You can read a summary of the legislation here.

Congressman Black and Senator Toomey released the following statements:

“Across this country, more than 300 sanctuary cities are thumbing their nose at Congress, flouting our laws, and endangering the lives of their citizens – all while relying on federal funding from American taxpayers. Why on earth would we continue to pay cities for neglecting their most basic duties? It defies logic and demands action. With our bill, sanctuary cities will finally incur real penalties for playing politics with public safety and for willfully ignoring federal immigration laws. I am proud to once again join with Senator Toomey on this legislation to cut off funding to these rogue jurisdictions and assert Congress’s Constitutional role in setting immigration policy,” said Congressman Diane Black.

“It is past time for Congress to act to end dangerous sanctuary city policies. Sanctuary cities not only make it harder to stop illegal immigration and keep dangerous criminals off the streets, but they also undermine our anti-terrorism efforts. I am delighted that my House colleague, Congressman Diane Black has joined me in this public safety effort and is introducing companion legislation in the House of Representatives. I am confident that under her leadership, the House of Representatives will pass this important legislation,” said Senator Pat Toomey.

In a statement supporting the legislation, the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) stated: “The Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act recognizes that sanctuary jurisdictions should not be allowed to defy federal immigration law without consequence. Jurisdictions that impede the enforcement of federal immigration laws would be denied access to federal funding. If these jurisdictions do receive grants and are then found to have sanctuary policies, they will be required to give back the funds, which will then be reallocated to compliant jurisdictions. If the government fails to recoup the money and reallocate it, states may sue to uphold the law. The legislation also clarifies that State and local authorities are permitted by law to carry out detainer requests, and includes essential protections for witnesses and victims of crime . . . FAIR joins with numerous law enforcement organizations and applauds you for introducing the Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act.”

Background:

Congressman Diane Black is a member of the House Border Security Caucus and the recipient of an A+ lifetime rating from the anti-amnesty group NumbersUSA.  As longtime leaders in the fight to enforce our immigration laws, Congressman Black and Senator Toomey sponsored this same legislation during the 114th Congress. Black is also a co-author of Congressman Ted Poe’s (R-TX-02) SMART Border Act and previously authored a House-passed amendment to withhold certain funding for sanctuary cities in the House’s Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill last year. Black is a member of the Ways and Means Committee and the newly elected Interim Chairman of the House Budget Committee.

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