Rep. Chu: Anti-Immigrant Sanctuary Cities Bill Plays on Fear and Undermines Community Safety

Washington, DC – Today, the House of Representatives will consider H.R. 3009, the Enforce the Law for Sanctuary Cities Act. This bill would deny certain federal law enforcement money to cities that refuse to detain undocumented immigrants on behalf of the federal government. These cities, also known as “Sanctuary Cities”, contend that such cooperation would damage the relationship between local law enforcement and the immigrant community, and that detaining immigrants without cause is unconstitutional and leaves them open to lawsuits. Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) released the following statement:

“I am disgusted that once again we are making bad policy for the sake of satisfying an anti-immigrant few. We know from study and experience that immigrants are less likely to commit violent crime and that communities are less likely to cooperate with police who double as immigration officers. But that is not stopping the Republicans from stoking fears that immigrants are dangerous, while undermining the ability of our police officers to actually protect public safety.

“This bill illogically withholds vital federal criminal justice grants targeted to enhance public safety in attempt to force localities to cooperate with ICE. In effect, these policies would make communities less safe. Immigrant communities will fear cooperating with police and reporting crimes for threat of deportation, and at the same time these localities will be stripped of critical federal funds that make communities safer. Instead of promoting these senseless policies, Republican leadership should bring forth comprehensive immigration reform that will get immigrants in the system, so we can isolate criminals and not entire immigrant communities.”