Representative Tom Graves issued the following statement on Thursday after voting in favor of the Enforce the Law for Sanctuary Cities Act (H.R. 3009), legislation that would cut off certain grants for cities that claim to be so-called sanctuary cities for illegal immigrants and refuse to cooperate with federal immigration law:
“America should be a place of refuge for law abiding citizens, not a sanctuary for illegal immigrants who break our laws. But in certain cities across America, criminals who came to our country illegally are given refuge. Not only does this erode the rule of law, it puts Americans at risk, such as Kathryn Steinle who was murdered by an illegal immigrant and seven-time convicted felon while walking with her father on a pier in San Francisco. This bill brings us one step closer to ending sanctuary cities and preventing these horrific acts.”
Previously, Rep. Graves spoke in favor of an amendment to the FY 2016 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill, which would prohibit the use of FEMA preparedness grants for sanctuary cities.