WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08) today released the following statement upon the House passing two pieces of legislation that enhance deterrents for criminal aliens seeking to illegally reenter the United States after deportation and provide new tools to combat states or local governments, otherwise known as “sanctuary cities,” that fail to enforce immigration laws that protect Americans:

“For too many years, a lack of immigration enforcement and the spread of ‘sanctuary cities’ has failed the America people and cost innocent lives,” said Rep. Scott. “I am proud to stand with my colleagues today in passing legislation that not only strengthens our immigration policies by cracking down on ‘sanctuary cities’, but also enhances deterrents for criminal aliens who seek to reenter the United States and those states and cities who ignore our immigration laws.”

Highlights from today’s bills that passed the House include:

• NO SANCTUARY FOR CRIMINALS ACT (H.R. 3003):

• Prohibits state and local governments from implementing laws, policies, or guidance that prohibit law enforcement agencies or other government entities from restricting compliance with immigration laws or from cooperating with federal immigration officials in the enforcement of immigration law.
• Withholds certain Department of Justice (DOJ) grants and any Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grants related to law enforcement from states and localities that fail to comply with this provision.
• Requires probable cause before Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can issue a detainer request.
• Mandates ICE take custody of the criminal alien who is subject to detainer within 48 hours of release, excluding weekends.

• KATE’S LAW (H.R. 3004):

• Enhances the current maximum sentence for illegal reentry, and raises the maximum sentences for criminal aliens who illegally reenter the United States to between 10 and 25 years in federal prison, depending on the criminal alien’s history.

-30-