[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 121 (Monday, September 25, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1820]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IMMIGRATION LAW ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. STEVE KING

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 21, 2006

  Mr. KING of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Immigration 
Law Enforcement Act of 2006. This bill reaffirms the inherent authority 
of State and local law enforcement to voluntarily investigate, 
identify, apprehend, arrest, detain and transfer to federal custody 
aliens in the U.S. in order to assist in the enforcement of the 
immigration laws.
  Presently, many cities are enacting so-called ``sanctuary'' policies, 
which prohibit local police from asking about a person's immigration 
status or reporting illegal aliens who commit crimes to immigration 
authorities for deportation. Passed in 1996, the Illegal Immigration 
Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act forbids localities from 
preventing their police officers from asking for or reporting 
immigration information to the Federal Government. Existing federal law 
says:

       Notwithstanding any other provision of Federal, State or 
     local law, a Federal, State, or local government entity or 
     official may not prohibit or in any way restrict any 
     government entity or official from sending to or receiving 
     information regarding the citizenship or immigration status, 
     lawful or unlawful, of any individual.

  Despite this ban, some cities continue to prohibit their officers 
from asking about immigration status or providing information to the 
Federal Government. Make no mistake about it: This is a situation of 
local governments blatantly violating Federal law.
  As a result, U.S. taxpayers pay to incarcerate illegal alien 
prisoners who are later released back onto the streets. Sanctuary 
policies tie the hands of local law enforcement officers and keep 
illegal aliens who commit crimes in our country, rather than deporting 
criminals according to U.S. law. These sanctuary policies have 
disastrous consequences.
  Our State and local governments serve as the front line of defense 
against terrorism and criminal aliens. Every murder, every rape, every 
violent gang crime committed against Americans by illegal aliens is an 
utterly preventable crime. If we better enforce our immigration laws to 
keep criminals out, we will save lives. We must use the law enforcement 
resources we have, at every level, to enforce our laws, with the end 
result of making our Nation a safer place for our grandchildren to grow 
up in.

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