By Hank Russell
A bill introduced by U.S. Representative Nick LaLota (R-Rocky Point) that would deny federal funding to “sanctuary cities” passed the House and is now on its way to be voted on by the Senate.
The “No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act,” which was introduced on September 26 with Andrew Garbarino (R-Patchogue) and Anthony D’Esposito (R-Garden City) as two of its eight co-sponsors, passed with bipartisan support, with 12 Democrats joining all 220 Republicans to pass the bill. This legislation would deny federal funding to states or other municipalities that use those funds for foreign-born individuals who are in the United States illegally.
Political jurisdictions would also lose out on federal funding under this bill if they have laws in place that prohibits any government from receiving or sending information regarding someone’s immigration status; exchanging that same information with local, state or federal law enforcement; complying with a Department of Homeland Security (DNS) immigration detainer; and notifying DHS about an illegal immigrant’s release from custody.
“By refusing to help enforce federal immigration law, sanctuary cities have created their own crisis and federal taxpayers must not be forced to foot the bill for their misguided policies,” LaLota said. “My No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act … ensures that federal dollars will not be used to offset costs incurred by prioritizing illegal immigration, and migrants’ free hotels and health care, over the safety and well-being of law-abiding tax-paying citizens.”
LaLota said New Yorkers and all Americans “are fed up with the strain this crisis has put on our resources” and said his legislation “will hold these cities accountable and make it clear that there are consequences for defying the rule of law. I urge the Senate to immediately take up this legislation.”