What should be done with sanctuary cities?
The subject of sanctuary cities for illegal immigrants is a topic getting wide coverage in the media these days. Some say we have become a sanctuary country let alone having sanctuary cities in our midst. The current coverage has centered on the city of San Francisco but there are currently a total of eighteen of these cities stretching from coast to coast. It is not about the nullification process which is gaining momentum across the country it is about ignoring federal immigration laws. In an earlier article I talked about states passing legislation to prevent some federal laws from being enforced by government personnel. The situation with sanctuary cities is about ignoring the law.
States and cities have a responsibility to keep their residents safe and secure. The situation with these cities is failing in this responsibility by ignoring federal immigration law. There are two basic questions or issues surrounding the enforcement of immigration laws. The first is what should be done with these cities that provide a sanctuary for illegal immigrants even those that commit and continue to commit crimes. One choice is to discontinue federal funding for these cities. There presently is legislation in Congress to do just that and it is hoped that there is enough support for taking this action to override a veto which President Obama is threating if it passes Congress. Congress needs to step up to the plate and address this unsafe condition within sanctuary cities and penalize them for ignoring the safety and security of their residents.
The second question concerns individuals the federal government who have the responsibility to enforce immigration laws or ICE. The current situation with these cities is not the only problem as overall immigration laws are being ignored. We are paying these individuals a salary for basically not performing their responsibilities to the full extent of the law. We hear of some enforcement from the media but there is no overall enforcement with individuals coming across our borders. This is not a slam against border patrol agents but the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE). Border patrol agents are out there each and every day putting their lives on the line in apprehending individuals crossing the border illegally. Individuals crossing our borders must be validated to be individuals who want a better life and are not criminals or terrorists who want to do us harm.
The key to the enforcement of immigration laws is to allow those who want to come to this country to make a better life for themselves and their families. Crossing the border with the current method is ignoring the legal process to enter our country and become a positive addition. There are individuals who have work permits to do jobs which some say Americans do not want to perform and this may be true but the reality is probably about the cheap labor. In addition there are individuals who want to attend our colleges and universities and are given visas sadly though these individuals are not monitored to ensure they do not just stay when their visas have expired.
Sanctuary cities need to be made to understand that they are not enforcing the law and in some cases they release these individuals even when ICE asks them to be given to them for deportation. One point needs to be made to these cities about their decisions and that is we are all accountable for the decisions we make and sanctuary cities are no different. Decisions have consequences and creating an environment where illegal immigrants can roam a city without the threat of being arrested has created an unsafe environment for all the residents of their city. Removing federal funding from all sanctuary cities needs to be done but it is a remote possibility that this will ever take place. Ensuring this action is taken will take a 2/3 majority of the House and Senate to override any veto the President invokes which he has stated will take place if the legislation passes Congress. It appears Congress is the only government entity who is attempting to take action for these cities as it appears that our Attorney General is ignoring this violation of federal law. I may be wrong in the above statement and if I am I apologize. Appearance of wrongdoing can impact an individual from being able to perform his/her responsibilities. This is why some individuals have resigned their positions in Congress whether or not they have done anything wrong.
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