Existence of sanctuary cities makes no sense

President Donald Trump and members of his administration are intensifying their efforts to crack down on so-called sanctuary cities that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, it has been reported.

It’s a matter of national defense and national security.

The Trump administration sent letters last Friday to officials in California and major cities including New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and New Orleans, all places that the Justice Department’s inspector general has identified as limiting the information that local law enforcement are allowed to provide to federal immigration authorities about those in their custody.

The nine jurisdictions reportedly were warned that they may lose coveted law enforcement grant money unless they start cooperating.

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions also warned that the administration will punish communities in other ways, too, that refuse to cooperate with efforts to find and deport illegal immigrants who are also criminals.

The United States is supposed to be a country based on law and order. Isn’t it time to start acting like it?

So far, some state courts are ruling that the sanctuary from federal laws offered by some cities is OK. How odd.

According to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement estimates, about 2.1 million illegal immigrants who are also criminals live in the U.S., more than 1.9 million of which could be deported.

These illegal immigrants/criminals continue to live in U.S. communities and engage in further criminal activity when state and local law enforcement are prohibited from cooperating with federal immigration officials,

The cost of illegal immigrants to state and local governments was an estimated $113 billion in 2013 in education costs, healthcare costs, welfare costs and law enforcement costs.

Americans face serious threats from terrorist organizations. Sanctuary policies that create an environment where illegal immigrants/criminals go undetected, undermines our national security efforts.

Tolerating illegal immigrants and providing a safe haven for them is also unfair to immigrants who respect and abide by our nation’s laws.

The existence of sanctuary cities makes no sense in the U.S. It never has. For a safer U.S., we need the officials in sanctuary cities to stop playing politics and get with the program.  

The Holton Recorder

109 W. Fourth St.
Holton, KS 66436
Phone: 785-364-3141
 

Sign Up For Breaking News

Stay informed on our latest news!

Manage my subscriptions

Subscribe to Greer Citizen newsletter feed