Toomey: End Dangerous Sanctuary City Policies

Press Release

U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) today introduced legislation to protect our communities from dangerous criminals.

Sen. Toomey introduced an amendment that would withhold certain federal funds from "sanctuary cities"-jurisdictions that forbid their local law enforcement officers from cooperating with federal immigration officials. Too often, local law enforcement officers want to work with the Obama administration to take dangerous criminals off of the streets, but are forbidden from doing so by "sanctuary city" policies imposed by local politicians.

Leaders from across the political spectrum agree that sanctuary cities pose a serious threat. Just two weeks ago, President Obama's Secretary of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson, traveled to Philadelphia to ask Mayor Jim Kenney to add a small exception to the city's sanctuary city policy, so police may help the Obama administration find violent felons and suspected terrorists. Ed Rendell, former Governor of Pennsylvania and lifelong Democrat, also criticized Philadelphia's sanctuary city policy, yet Mayor Kenny refused to make any changes.

Sen. Toomey's amendment preserves individuals' right to sue if their civil rights are violated, while ensuring any such lawsuits are brought against the correct entity.

Sen. Toomey's efforts were motivated by the tragic death of 32-year-old Kate Steinle last summer. Kate was walking with her father on a San Francisco pier when she was gunned down by an illegal immigrant who had been previously convicted of at least seven felonies and deported on five separate occasions. Three months prior to Kate's death, federal officials had requested San Francisco turn over the illegal immigrant, but the city refused and instead released him.

"As a father, I cannot imagine the pain of Kate Steinle's father, watching his daughter die in his arms while she begged him to help her," said Sen. Toomey. "Sadly, Kate's family is not alone. The U.S. Senate has heard testimony from family after family, detailing how they have lost loved ones because sanctuary cities put criminals back on the street. And the Obama administration has confirmed that sanctuary cities result in thousands of criminals being put back on the streets. The people of America deserve better."

Sens. Jeff Sessions, David Vitter, and Tom Cotton are cosponsors of the Toomey measure.

Source