Central Louisiana News

U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) have spearheaded an effort to address the issue of sanctuary cities and the dangers posed by criminal illegal immigrants. In a recent announcement, the senators introduced two bills aimed at enhancing public safety and providing justice for victims of sanctuary policies.

The first bill, known as the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act, seeks to hold sanctuary jurisdictions accountable for their policies that jeopardize public safety. Senator Cassidy emphasized the importance of this legislation, stating, "Our efforts serve as a needed backstop for failed border policy."

Meanwhile, Senator Tillis highlighted the detrimental impact of sanctuary city policies on communities, stating, "For too long, we have watched local jurisdictions...ignore the lawful notification and detainer requests made by ICE agents, instead releasing dangerous criminals back into the communities and putting innocent lives at risk."

The second bill, the Immigration Detainer Enforcement Act, aims to clarify the Department of Homeland Security's detainer authority, reinforce the role of states and localities in maintaining custody of individuals with detainers, and encourage cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the department.

The bills have garnered support from several other Republican senators, including Ted Budd, Tim Scott, Pete Ricketts, Steve Daines, Mike Rounds, Kevin Cramer, and Tom Cotton, who have joined Cassidy and Tillis as cosponsors.

The impetus behind these legislative measures stems from recent incidents, such as the tragic murder of Laken Riley, which have underscored the need to address the challenges posed by sanctuary city policies. The senators are aiming to prevent similar tragedies by ensuring that criminal illegal immigrants are not released back into communities unchecked.

The introduction of these bills reflects a broader push by Republican lawmakers to combat sanctuary cities and enhance public safety by empowering law enforcement agencies to take necessary actions to protect communities from the risks associated with criminal illegal immigrants.