HARRISBURG – (PRESS RELEASE) Senator David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks) is throwing his support behind legislation to curb illegal immigration in Pennsylvania.
Argall is cosponsoring a measure by Senator Rich Alloway (R-Adams/Cumberland/Franklin/York) aimed to prevent cities from self-proclaiming themselves as “Sanctuary Cities.” Sanctuary cities hold illegal immigrants and do not report the individuals to the Department of Homeland Security for deportation.
A recent shooting in San Francisco highlighted the need to review cities that house illegal immigrants after Kathryn Steinle was allegedly shot by Francisco Sanchez, an illegal immigrant from Mexico with seven felony convictions who has been deported five times.
“Sanctuary cities pose a risk to the citizens of Pennsylvania,” Argall said. “Usurping federal and state laws to prove a political point is not only bad politics, it’s bad public policy. The tragedy in San Francisco could have been avoided if the city did not protect illegal immigrants.”
Under Alloway’s bill, governing bodies such as counties or municipalities may not adopt rules or ordinances that contradict federal and state immigration laws. The proposal would disqualify the eligibility of any municipality not enforcing federal and state immigration laws from state grants for law enforcement purposes. Municipalities that harbor illegal immigrants who harm U.S. citizens may be sued under Alloway’s proposal.
