[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 140 (Thursday, September 20, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1945]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   INTRODUCTION OF ``LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT RESTORATION ACT OF 2007''

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                            HON. DAVE WELDON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 20, 2007

  Mr. WELDON of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the 
Local Law Enforcement Restoration Act of 2007 in response to the recent 
decision by a federal judge to strike down a local ordinance in 
Hazleton, Pennsylvania aimed at addressing out of control illegal 
immigration in that community. The purpose of that local ordinance was 
to keep illegal aliens from taking up residence within the town's 
jurisdiction or taking local jobs. I believe that my legislation is 
necessary at this time in order to provide clarity and ensure that 
local elected officials are able to enforce ordinances against illegal 
immigration in their communities. Immigration enforcement has already 
overburdened our federal law enforcement agencies, and state and local 
governments should not be hampered when they want to step in where the 
federal government has failed. The federal judge misread current 
federal immigration law and communities should not be penalized by 
over-reaching federal judges. My legislation simply clarifies the right 
of local communities and states to address the consequences of illegal 
immigration within their jurisdictions.
  A number of other communities and several states have taken similar 
approaches to address illegal immigration in their communities. Given 
the Federal Government's failure to act to enforce the laws already on 
the books to combat illegal immigration, a growing number of state and 
city officials across the United States are pursuing laws similar to 
those enacted in Hazelton. These elected officials are driven by 
Washington's failure to control our borders or deal with the more than 
12 million illegal immigrants living in the U.S.
  It is important to remove any ambiguity about the ability of states 
and localities--the ones who bear the financial costs associated with 
illegal immigration--to enforce their local ordinances aimed at 
addressing illegal immigration in their community. In many ways, 
illegal immigration is the ultimate unfunded mandate--the federal 
government fails to control the border, but then saddles states and 
localities with the costs imposed by illegal aliens (in the form of 
education spending, public services, and law enforcement costs).
  It is important to clarify that states and localities are not 
preempted by federal law from imposing civil or criminal sanctions upon 
those who employ, recruit or refer for a fee for employment, 
unauthorized aliens. In the case of the ruling against Hazleton, the 
judge went well beyond the intent of federal law. Essentially, he said 
that cities and states are powerless to discourage illegal immigration 
within their jurisdiction. The good news is that by amending the INA we 
can address this problem and provide the degree of clarity to this 
issue that would remove any ambiguity in the law. My legislation does 
just this, and makes sure that cities and states have leeway to 
reinforce federal immigration law.
  If you believe that the Federal Government has failed to effectively 
enforce our immigration laws, and believe that the Federal Government 
should ensure that states and local communities have the ability to 
discourage illegal immigration consistent with federal law, then join 
me in passing the The Local Law Enforcement Restoration Act of 2007.

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