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Hollingsworth Bill To Crack Down On Illegal Immigration 'Safe Havens' Killed In Committee

Bill Would Have Prevented State Aid From Going To Cities And Counties That Declare 'Safe Haven' For Illegal Immigrants


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Erica Warren (619) 596-3136

SACRAMENTO ---- The Senate Public Safety Committee today killed SB 1767 by
State Senator Dennis Hollingsworth (R-Murrieta) on a straight party-line vote.
The bill aimed at combating illegal immigrant "safe haven" declarations by
denying state aid to those cities and counties that prohibit their employees,
including law enforcement, to inquire about one's legal residency.

These sanctuary policies - that prevent law enforcement from doing their jobs
and encourage massive illegal immigration - have now spread to nearly 20
California cities, including San Diego, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, which
labels its "Special Order 40." These ordinances not only encourage illegal
immigration and its costs, they prevent law enforcement from combating gangs
and drug rings. Murderous gangs, such as MS-13, are predominantly illegal
immigrants.

The cost of incarcerating more than 18,000 criminal illegal immigrants is
almost $750 million annually.

However, these jurisdictions that contribute to a growing illegal immigration
problem also continue to take state aid for highways, parks, gang task forces,
and libraries in the face of the state structural deficit of $6 billion. SB
1767 would have stopped that flow of funding to these cities and counties that
work in conflict with federal immigration law.

A committee member questioned whether Hollingsworth planned on gaining the
support of any "safe haven" jurisdictions. Hollingsworth said his bill will
not and does not seek the support of cities, such as Los Angeles or others
with "safe haven" ordinances.

"This is not a measure that would try to change their minds on those
policies," Hollingsworth said. "We think they should do it on their own dime.
I would not expect the city of Los Angeles would change their mind. We're just
saying we're not going to encourage it anymore."

Another committee member noted that the nation is trying to "come to terms"
with how to deal with illegal immigration - referring to the ongoing U.S.
Senate hearings on various illegal immigration bills.

Hollingsworth agreed that the matter is complicated, but added: "No matter how
that debate comes out in D.C., the fact is that these are the laws of the land
now."

The 2000 U.S. Census estimated that California had about 2.3 million illegal
immigrants, which officials estimate cost $10 billion annually.

SB 1767 - Aye: Senators Charles Poochigian (R-Fresno) and Bob Margett
(R-Arcadia); Ney: Senators Don Perata (D-Oakland), Gloria Romero (D-Los
Angeles), Gil Cedillo (D-Los Angeles) and Carole Migden (D-San Francisco).

SENATE BILL 1767:
http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/bill/sen/sb_ ... oduced.pdf

Dennis Hollingsworth is the Senate Republican Caucus Whip representing the
36th Senate District, which includes Southwest Riverside County, North Inland
and East San Diego County, and portions of the City of San Diego.

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