Mar. 02, 2016
HARRISBURG—Rep. Martina White (R-Philadelphia) has announced that she will introduce legislation to counter unlawful sanctuary cities in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney has declared Philadelphia a “sanctuary city” – meaning that the city will not turn over illegal aliens to federal officials.
“We cannot have elected officials and municipal employees reject the law. If they disagree with the law they should advocate for it to be changed. Choosing not to uphold our laws sets a dangerous precedent.” White said.
White’s legislation, which is now gathering support from co-sponsors, would hold responsible any “sanctuary city” in Pennsylvania for the damages to persons or property as a result of criminal activity by unauthorized aliens if:
• It has been determined by federal immigration officials that the person that engaged in the criminal activity is an unauthorized alien.
• The unauthorized alien is a resident of the sanctuary municipality.
• The unauthorized alien is convicted of the crime.
• The criminal activity is a proximate cause of the injury.
The legislation also would prohibit restrictions on an official or employee of the municipality from:
• Sending to or receiving from federal immigration officials any information regarding the citizenship or immigration status of an individual.
• Exchanging information, with regard to an individual, with other federal agencies, state agencies or municipalities.
• Inquiring about an individual’s name, date and place of birth and immigration status while enforcing/conducting an investigation into the violation of a law.
• Requesting an applicant for state or local public benefits to provide proof of eligibility.
Under this legislation, if a law enforcement officer of a municipality has reasonable cause to believe that an individual being arrested is not legally in the United States, he or she must immediately report the individual to the appropriate United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office within the Department of Homeland Security.
“So-called ‘sanctuary cities’ place themselves above the law,” White said. “Essentially, they allow illegal immigrants who could have a criminal background and pose a threat to be safe from federal expulsion. This is a dangerous policy we must not tolerate.”
Representative Martina White
170th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: David Foster
267.207.0207
dfoster@pahousegop.com
RepWhite.com /
facebook.com/RepMartinaWhite