Thread by @SenToomey

As we begin to debate the issue of immigration, @SenSchumer is blocking a vote on my amdt to address problem of dangerous #SanctuaryCities, putting interests of criminals before public safety.

For there to be a good-faith bill on #DACA, dangerous #SanctuaryCity policies must be addressed: DREAM Act says if you commit certain crimes, you lose protections & can be deported. If local law enf. can’t cooperate with DHS/ICE, then this provision is virtually unenforceable.

I once again ask my colleagues to focus their attention on the serious problem of dangerous #SanctuaryCities. There's lots of misinformation about #SanctuaryCities so here are the facts.

#SanctuaryCities are jurisdictions/municipalities, like Philly, that have policies barring local law enf. from cooperating with fed. immigration authorities in certain instances, even in cases when they wanted to help. These policies hamper law enf. & make us less safe.

For example: Philly PD once arrested an illegal immigrant, who’d previously been deported, for assault & other charges. Fed. immigration officials asked Philly PD to hold him temporarily. Instead, the man was set free. He was later arrested for raping a child under the age of 13.

Philly's extreme + dangerous #SanctuaryCity law prohibited the police from even talking with federal immigration authorities. This wouldn't have happened if Philly wasn't a #SanctuaryCity.

#SanctuaryCity policies aren’t just unique to Philly. Many of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties have #SanctuaryCity policies. These laws are as misguided as they are dangerous.

This isn’t about asking local police to enforce fed. immigration law. Fed. immigration officials are merely asking police to hold a person – who’s already been arrested and is in the US illegally – until DHS/ICE can arrive to question or take custody.

Immigrants want safe streets, too, and the bill has language to protect those here illegally who come forward as a victim or witness of a crime.

Other than in enforcing immigration law, there is no other type of crime where a politician-made mandate ties local police hands when an officer thinks – in the interest of public safety – cooperation w/fed. law enforcement is necessary.

Leaders from both sides of the aisle agree: we must end the indefensible policy of protecting dangerous criminals from deportation. #SanctuaryCities do not protect the innocent, they simply make it harder to get violent criminals off the streets.

Enough playing politics with the safety and well-being of the American people. I ask my colleagues to join me in saying no more to #SanctuaryCities. Let’s make these dangerous policies a thing of the past.

Below is more information on the amendment that I Introduced today: toomey.senate.gov/?p=news&id=2111