Ayotte Votes to Limit Sanctuary Cities, Enhance Penalties Against Illegal Reentry

Press Release

U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte today voted to advance two measures to strengthen efforts against sanctuary cities and illegal immigration by individuals who have already been deported - the Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act and Kate's Law.

"Keeping our country safe requires not only the strict enforcement of existing immigration laws, but also cooperation between state, local, and federal law enforcement and continued efforts to secure our Southern border," Ayotte said. "Sanctuary cities - where local officials deliberately refuse and ignore federal immigration law - are dangerous and unsustainable. These bills take much-needed action to strengthen our security, prevent future tragedies from occurring, and limit federal funds to hold local jurisdictions accountable for following the law. I'm disappointed that the Senate did not advance these bills today, but I will keep pushing for measures like these to keep our country safe."

The Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act withholds certain federal funds from states or localities that choose not to assist in the enforcement of federal immigration laws or share information with federal immigration authorities. In addition to withholding federal funds from sanctuary jurisdictions, the legislation provides liability protections to local law enforcement officers so they cannot be sued for enforcing federal law. This legislation has been endorsed by the National Association of Police Organizations, the National Sheriffs' Association, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, and the International Union of Police Associations.

Kate's Law separately targets dangerous individuals who continue to enter the country illegally after having been previously deported by increasing the maximum criminal penalty for illegal reentry from two to five years, creating a new penalty for any individual who has been deported three or more times and again illegally reenters the country, and creating a new penalty for any individual who illegally reenters the country if they had an aggravated felony prior to their removal or were convicted of illegal reentry twice before.

After the July 2015 murder of Kate Steinle in San Francisco by an illegal immigrant who had been deported five times, Ayotte wrote to the Secretary of Homeland Security requesting a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged perpetrator, Francisco Sanchez, and his presence in the U.S. In October 2015, she also supported legislation that would have withheld funds from sanctuary cities.

Source