House bill, SAFE Act, makes it illegal to knowingly transport an undocumented person
Posted: 5:27 PM
Last Updated: 12 minutes ago
By: abc15.com staff
PHOENIX - A new bill in Congress would make it illegal for anyone in the U.S. to knowingly transport an illegal immigrant, whether that means to the store or even the doctor.
H.R. 2278, or the SAFE Act, aims to crack down on human smugglers. But some feel it could put U.S. residents at risk for helping family members get around town.
"No one wants to see someone going to jail for doing something right. And taking your mom to the hospital is seen as right," said Tony Navarrete, a U.S. citizen.
Navarrete considers the bill to be a "stronger version of SB 1070," just under a different name.
The "Strengthen and Fortify Enforcement Act" was introduced June 6 and is sponsored by Rep. Trey Gowdy of South Carolina.
Congressman Trent Franks is a co-sponsor of the bill. ABC15 has reached out to his office for a statement, but has yet to hear back.
Navarrete said his family fled Arizona to parts of Washington, Oregon and Georgia after SB 1070 was passed.
The bill also gives law enforcement more authority to enforce immigration. For Navarrette, that could mean he wouldn't be able to be there for half of his family.
"It's not going to change a whole lot. I'm still going to take my grandmother to the hospital if she needs to go."
View more information regarding H.R. 2278
http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/state/...umented-person
