U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) on Wednesday announced that he has filed an amendment to H.R. 4505, the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which would block all funds from the appropriations bill from being provided to any jurisdiction that breaches U.S. immigration law.
In a statement promoting his amendment, Brooks highlighted federal government-reported statistics that present crime-related data associated with illegal immigration.
“Sanctuary policies endanger American lives,” said Brooks. “Look at the data. According to Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the agency issued 122,233 detainers in [fiscal year] 2020. Those subject to detainers had criminal histories including more than 1,900 homicide-related offenses, 1,900 kidnappings, 3,600 robberies, 42,800 assaults, and 11,900 sex crimes.”
Brooks pointed to the case of Kate Steinle, who was killed at the hands of illegal alien and Mexican National Garcia Zarate.
“Many will recall the tragic murder of American citizen Kate Steinle, who was gunned down in San Francisco, a sanctuary city, by a violent illegal immigrant with seven felonies on his record and five deportations,” continued Brooks. “If this federal data is any indicator, illegal aliens are far more likely to commit violent and dangerous crimes than the average American or lawful immigrant. Sanctuary policies shield illegal alien criminals from deportation and justice. I’m for whatever it takes to help get dangerous illegal alien criminals off American streets.”
Conservatives in recent years have undertaken efforts to bar cities from providing asylum to those residing in the country unlawfully. In citing opposition to “sanctuary cities,” many have pointed to crime data accompanying illegal immigration, as well as attempts by progressive
lawmakers to register foreign nationals to vote in what they see as an attempt to gain political advantage.
The Tennessee Valley congressman joins fellow Alabama Republicans in introducing legislative remedies to target cities that provide safe harbor to illegal immigrants, shielding them from deportation.
Under current Alabama law, local governments and municipalities are prohibited from infringing upon federal immigration law, with civil penalties applied to any such violation. A recent attempt was made in the 2020 regular session by State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) to strengthen penalties for such violations to a Class C felony. The bill advanced through committee among a party-line vote but failed to pass the legislature’s upper chamber.
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News
Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to have Alabama’s leading headlines delivered to your inbox.