State and local lawmakers often differ on their views about sanctuary cities, which allow local authorities to avoid enforcing federal immigration laws. Quotes and views from these lawmakers may change or become intense following tragic incidents involving illegal immigrants.
Here are quotes from lawmakers who oppose the idea of sanctuary cities.
Before he became a U.S. representative for Pennsylvania, Republican Lou Barletta was mayor of Hazelton and faced opposition in 2006 when the city passed a law to fine landlords renting to illegal immigrants and deny business permits to companies that gave them jobs.
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“The breaking point for me was the death of Derek Kishline. A 29-year-old with three children was shot and killed by Pedro Cabrera, who had already been arrested six times. … When people talk about illegal immigration, it’s about the person that came here to take care of their family. It’s always about the illegal alien. It’s never about the victims.”
— U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Pennsylvania, the Daily Caller
San Francisco ignited the debate over sanctuary cities in July 2015 when Kathryn Steinle, 32, was shot and killed during a walk on a pier. The accused killer had been deported five times. San Francisco lawmakers started to reevaluate their sanctuary ordinance that prohibited city employees from helping to enforce federal immigration laws.
“It was never contemplated that our sanctuary city would give protection to serious repeat felony offenders.”
— San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, CBS News
“The ordinance is an attempt to have its own immigration policy. I mean, it shouldn’t be surprising to anybody who’s been around the town to see that San Francisco sees itself as an independent city state.”
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Former U.S. Attorney Joe Russoniello, CBS News
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“It doesn’t make any sense to me to have an opportunity to continue to provide safe, secure borders, and then to have cities that undermine that initiative.”
— Texas State Sen. Charles Perry, The Dallas Morning News, regarding a state bill that would prohibit cities in Texas from preventing law authorities to ask about a person’s immigration status