Congressman Thomas Tiffany | Official U.S. House headshot
Congressman Thomas Tiffany | Official U.S. House headshot
WASHINGTON, DC – In a significant move, Congressman Tom Tiffany's amendment to bar sanctuary cities from receiving federal funds was approved by the U.S. House and included in the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act. The amendment, which aims to prevent state and local governments from refusing to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, was a response to the growing concerns regarding the impact of sanctuary city policies.
Highlighting the illegality and detrimental consequences of these policies, Representative Tiffany stated, "These so-called sanctuary city policies are nothing new. They are also illegal. In fact, they have been illegal since Bill Clinton signed a law making them illegal in the 1990s. As we have seen in recent months, these misguided policies serve as a magnet for illegal aliens – overwhelming schools, hospitals, and other local services."
One of the key issues emphasized by Tiffany is the financial burden placed upon American taxpayers. New York Mayor Eric Adams himself acknowledged the staggering cost of the influx of illegal immigrants into his sanctuary city, estimating that it would cost Big Apple residents a staggering $12 billion. Adams even went as far as saying the influx would 'destroy' his city.
However, the consequences extend beyond mere financial implications. Tiffany highlighted the public safety risks associated with sanctuary city policies. By preventing local law enforcement from reporting illegal aliens to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), police are often forced to release foreign criminals from custody, posing a threat to the safety of not only sanctuary cities but also neighboring communities.
With his amendment, Congressman Tiffany raises the question of why Americans should be forced to finance the dangerous and illegal policies of sanctuary cities like New York and Chicago. He also questions the logic behind asking taxpayers to pick up the tab for the problems these jurisdictions are bringing upon themselves. It is time, he argues, to stop rewarding bad behavior and hold sanctuary cities accountable for their violations of federal law.
The approval of Congressman Tiffany's amendment signifies a step towards addressing the concerns surrounding sanctuary city policies and their impact on communities and taxpayers. By barring federal funds to non-cooperative state and local governments, this measure aims to promote the enforcement of federal immigration laws and protect the well-being of American citizens.
For more information on Congressman Tiffany's amendment, you can find his floor remarks here.
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