(Corine Gatti, Headline USA) Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and a group of his GOP colleagues announced they’ve reintroduced legislation called the “Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act” to defund sanctuary cities and enable local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
“So-called ‘sanctuary cities’ refuse to enforce the laws on the books and release violent criminals in our country illegally —including rapists and murderers — who go on to prey on both American citizens and the immigrant community,” Cruz recently told the Daily Caller.
“Moreover, many of these sanctuary jurisdictions actively prevent state and local law enforcement from coordinating with their federal counterparts. They release murderers, rapists and burglars who end up preying on the community. That is wrong,” he said.
It’s time for decisive action on immigration reform to bring order and accountability to the system and ultimately strengthen our borders, Cruz explained.
“The American people and Texas communities in particular, are tired of seeing our laws flouted and the crime that often accompanies illegal immigration. These jurisdictions need to be held accountable, and I will do everything I can to enforce our immigration laws,” Cruz added.
“When the whims of local politicians prevent law enforcement officers from doing their jobs, our communities are less safe and our nation’s rule of law is shortchanged,” Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, who co-sponsored the bill, said in a press release.
“City governments should not tie the hands of their law enforcement officers who are trying to comply with federal immigration law,” he added. Any city that chooses to force their officers to ignore our laws doesn’t deserve the benefit of taxpayer-funded federal grants.”
Cruz has advocated for increased border security and demanding immigration reform to address America’s immigration crisis for years. He recently engaged in a fiery exchange this week over the border crises — grilling Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over the U.S. and Mexico border problems.
The questioning included stats about illegal immigrant encounters.
“We now have over 5.5 million people who have entered this country illegally under [U.S. President] Joe Biden,” Cruz asked in a heated exchange. “How many murderers have you released into America? This is a crisis, a disgrace,” said the senator.
Mayorkas was asked several times by Cruz if there is a current crisis at the border. “Senator, we are dedicated to the safe cause,” Mayorkas replied.
