Press Releases
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) today released the following statement after voting to consider two bills that would protect families and communities from dangerous criminals who are in the country illegally:
“Sanctuary policies of more than 300 communities across the country threaten the safety of our citizens and undermine enforcement of our immigration laws. We must hold these communities accountable for their failure to uphold the law because of the risk these dangerous policies pose to public safety. We need to strengthen our laws to deter deported illegal immigrants from reentering our country illegally and prevent them from victimizing innocent Americans. Protecting the public from violent criminals should be a priority for all members Congress, not just one political party,” Boozman said.
Senate Democrats blocked both bills from reaching the sixty-vote threshold necessary to continue debate. Boozman voted in support of the following legislation:
Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act –This legislation would restrict federal funding from sanctuary states or cities that fail to comply with federal immigration enforcement. The bill would redirect these funds to localities that follow the law.
Kate’s Law – This legislation provides a five-year mandatory minimum sentence for any illegal immigrant who re-enters the United States after having been convicted of an aggravated felony or after having been twice convicted of illegally re-entering the United States. It is named after Kate Steinle, who was killed on a San Francisco pier by an illegal immigrant who had previously been convicted of seven felonies and deported five times.