House GOP members look to strip funding from 'sanctuary cities'

WASHINGTON — House Republicans are bringing back efforts to strip federal funding from cities and counties that don’t help enforce federal immigration laws.

Florida Rep. Ted Yoho is one of dozens of lawmakers urging the Appropriations Committee in a letter to defund “sanctuary cities.”

In the letter dated March 23, the murder of Kate Steinle in San Francisco by an undocumented immigrant who was previously deported multiple times,  is used as evidence that of the “danger” sanctuary cities pose to the country.

There are more than 300 cities or counties nationwide that have variations of laws preventing law enforcement from detaining undocumented immigrants.

Jon Feere, a legal policy analyst with the non-profit Center for Immigration Studies is critical of the way the Obama administration is handling immigration and believes Congress needs to act.

“It really should do everything in its power to get the executive branch to enforce its immigration laws," said Feere.” “People are literally dying because we have criminal aliens being released out into our streets.”

The issue is divided along party lines with Democrats and immigration rights groups opposing any penalties to “sanctuary cities.” They argue it helps build trust between the immigrant community and police.

The National Immigrant Law Center sent a statement saying:

“Local police shouldn’t be strong-armed into having to choose between funding for their work or changing their policies in a way that silences crime victims and witnesses who would otherwise come forward.”

The American Civil Liberties Union also opposes any legislation or action taken against “sanctuary cities.”

Both the houses of Congress are on recess until next week.

Cox Media Group