Legislation Introduced to Make Sanctuary Cities Pay for the Wall

By Heather Ham-Warren | May 4, 2018

Last week, Congressman Robert Pittenger (R-N.C.) introduced H.R. 5663, the Make Sanctuary Cities Pay for the Wall Act. This legislation would defund sanctuary jurisdictions and reroute the withheld funds to pay for construction of a border wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Cooperation between federal, state, and local governments is the cornerstone of effective immigration enforcement. Nonetheless, law enforcement agencies, local governments, and even states across the country are proactively enacting policies and practices to restrict or prohibit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Commonly referred to as “sanctuary policies,” such ordinances, directives, and practices undermine enforcement of U.S. immigration law by impeding state and local officials, including law enforcement officers, from asking individuals about their immigration status, reporting them to the federal government, or otherwise cooperating with or assisting federal immigration officials. Following the high profile murder of Kate Steinle by an illegal alien with multiple deportations, sanctuary jurisdictions have become a heated topic in the immigration debate. In response, the House passed several bills to defund sanctuary jurisdictions; however, the Senate has repeatedly voted down similar legislation.

Additionally, despite passing several short term spending packages since President Trump took office, Congress has also failed to fund the border wall the president promised American voters on the campaign trail. As midterm elections get closer, incumbents could be punished for their inaction on these important immigration-related reforms.

FAIR is proud to endorse Congressman Pittenger’s legislation that would address both sanctuary policies and the border wall. Congress should move on this legislation swiftly and finally fulfill the promises politicians made to the American people during the 2016 elections.