Tancredo: Houston Shootings Indict City's Sanctuary Policy
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Tom Tancredo (R-CO) called on the City of Houston, Texas to overturn its long-standing sanctuary policy in light of today's shootings at an illegal alien drop house, there.
Local law enforcement in Houston was summoned to the drop house when neighbors heard two shots fired. At least two men were wounded and more than 20 illegal aliens were apprehended at the house, which serves as a way-station for illegal aliens being smuggled into the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which assisted in the arrests, believes that the firefight was started when an illegal alien human trafficker, or coyote,' attempted to steal illegal aliens from another smuggler. At least one Chinese version of an AK-47 assault rifle was found at the house.
"For a long time, Houston police have been forced to wink and nod, as if trafficking illegal aliens isn't worthy of their attention. As we saw today, this culture of sanctuary and silence is breeding ground for organized crime," said Tancredo.
Houston law enforcement has refused to assist federal law enforcement on immigration matters since at least 2003. The Houston police department does not hold illegal aliens who it encounters in the normal course of an investigation, even if those illegal aliens are felons who are deportable under federal law.
"Houston has one of the most egregious sanctuary policies in the country, which violates federal law. Today's violence is a tragic reminder of the cost of shielding illegal behavior," said Tancredo. "Houston is not alonehundreds of states and municipalities across the country have similar sanctuary policies. Each of them must look with horror at the deaths in Houston and ask: will we be next?"
Tancredo concluded, "Denver, like Houston, has a long-standing sanctuary policy. And, like Houston, Denver is a major transshipment point for illegal aliens. Once again, I call on Mayor Hickenlooper to overturn Denver's sanctuary policy and spare it the tragedy that Houston is enduring today."
http://tancredo.house.gov/press/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=1156