WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., is supporting four renewed legislative efforts to strengthen criminal statutes aimed at illegal immigrants who commit crimes in the United States.

“It is time to put an end to sanctuary cities,” said Wicker. “The tragic and preventable circumstances surrounding the deaths of victims like Kate Steinle and Sarah Root reveal the very real threat these policies pose to public safety. I support policies that target illegal immigrants who are engaging in criminal activity in the Unites States or are reentering the country after repeatedly being denied or deported. Our country has every right to deport those who are here unlawfully – particularly those who also commit crimes.”

The “Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act,” S.87, would define sanctuary cities, address court decisions that have forced dozens of counties to becomes sanctuary jurisdictions, and withhold certain funds from sanctuary jurisdictions. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., introduced this bill last week.

Wicker is an original cosponsor of three additional bills designed to crack down on sanctuary cities. These measures were introduced as a result of fatal crimes committed by illegal immigrants: “Sarah’s Law,” introduced by Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa; “Kate’s Law,” introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas; and “Taking Action Against Drunk Drivers Act,” introduced by Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa.

About These Bills

Ernst’s “Sarah’s Law” would authorize mandatory detention of illegal aliens who kill or harm American citizens. In 2016, Nebraska-native Sarah Root was killed by a drunk driver illegally in the United States. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office declined to use its discretion to detain the individual. The criminal subsequently posted bond and disappeared. ICE acknowledged they should have detained the individual.

Cruz’s “Kate’s Law” would establish a five-year mandatory sentence for illegal immigrants who are convicted of an aggravated felony or repeatedly enter the country unlawfully. In 2015, 32-year-old Kate Steinle was shot to death by an illegal alien who had been deported five times and convicted of multiple felonies. Following Steinle’s death, local authorities released the illegal alien under San Francisco’s sanctuary city policies.

Grassley’s “Take Action Against Drunk Drivers” bill would require ICE to detain illegal immigrants charged with drunk driving offenses, and it would make habitual drunk drivers inadmissible and removable for immigration purposes.

Wicker has led multiple efforts to end sanctuary cities. In the 114th Congress, he cosponsored the “Protecting American Lives Act,” S.1842, aimed at closing the gaps in the federal government’s enforcement of immigration law, including ending sanctuary cities in America. Wicker also cosponsored “Kate’s Law,” the “Taking Action Against Drunk Drivers Act,” and the “Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act” in the 114th Congress. Prior to that, Wicker led a similar effort to deny federal funds and law enforcement grants to sanctuary cities.