State Rep. Introduces Bill To Punish Sanctuary Cities
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- In an interview with Rich Zeoli on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT, State Representative Martina White discussed her bill that would hold sanctuary cities liable for damages caused by undocumented immigrants that have previously committed crimes.
White said it is unacceptable that cities like Philadelphia would adopt such policies and crafted her bill to stop them.
"This is the reality that we're living in. We have to worry that an illegal immigrant could just commit a crime and not wind up getting deported because of it."
She claims to have broad support in Harrisburg and expects it to be approved easily.
"I proposed legislation that I think is going to pass and actually going into law to help resolve this problem and to do so in a bi-partisan fashion. This bill, House Bill 1885, it has bi-partisan support, 41 co-sponsors. I'm really proud of that fact. But, the way that the bill is designed to work is to hold sanctuary cities accountable to their citizens. Unfortunately, right now, with the sanctuary city policy, that's not happening. They're putting a priority on protecting illegal immigrant criminals instead of protecting citizens. We're going to make sure that any type of crime that causes damage to one of our people in the city can result damages being paid out."
White believes passing her bill will prevent other municipalities in the commonwealth from adopting similar measures to those introduced by Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney.
"I'm really proud of the legislation. It's designed to help protect citizens and to prevent this type of policy from spreading, not only from Philadelphia to suburban areas, but also across the state of Pennsylvania."
