10.20.15

Hoeven Statement on Legislation to Address Sanctuary Cities, Enforce the Law

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven released the following statement today after voting for the Stop Sanctuary Policies and Protect Americans Act, legislation to help enforce the rule of law and hold sanctuary cities accountable. The legislation limits the availability of certain federal grants to cities and states with policies in place that forbid local law enforcement from sharing information with federal immigration officials or complying with immigration detainers. Additionally, the bill increases the mandatory minimum sentence to five years for any immigrant who illegally enters the country after having been convicted of an aggravated felony or who has been convicted twice of illegal reentry. It also creates a maximum penalty of 10 years for illegal immigrants who have been denied admission, excluded, deported or removed three or more times and then illegally reenter the country. The bill failed to overcome a filibuster and was blocked by a vote of 54-45.

“Today’s vote was about upholding the laws of the land and maintaining the rule of law. This legislation ensures that cities and states that disregard federal immigration laws are held accountable for their actions,” said Hoeven. “We need to ensure that our laws, immigration and all others, are obeyed and enforced.”

The legislation is endorsed by the National Association of Police Organizations, National Sheriffs’ Association, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, International Union of Police Association as well as the Remembrance Project and numerous families of victims of crimes.

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