[Congressional Record: September 20, 2007 (Extensions)]
[Page E1945]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr20se07-46]

[[Page E1945]]

INTRODUCTION OF ``LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT RESTORATION ACT OF 2007''

______


HON. DAVE WELDON

of florida

in the house of representatives

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Mr. WELDON of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the
Local Law Enforcement Restoration Act of 2007 in response to the recent
decision by a federal judge to strike down a local ordinance in
Hazleton, Pennsylvania aimed at addressing out of control illegal
immigration in that community. The purpose of that local ordinance was
to keep illegal aliens from taking up residence within the town's
jurisdiction or taking local jobs. I believe that my legislation is
necessary at this time in order to provide clarity and ensure that
local elected officials are able to enforce ordinances against illegal
immigration in their communities. Immigration enforcement has already
overburdened our federal law enforcement agencies, and state and local
governments should not be hampered when they want to step in where the
federal government has failed. The federal judge misread current
federal immigration law and communities should not be penalized by
over-reaching federal judges. My legislation simply clarifies the right
of local communities and states to address the consequences of illegal
immigration within their jurisdictions.
A number of other communities and several states have taken similar
approaches to address illegal immigration in their communities. Given
the Federal Government's failure to act to enforce the laws already on
the books to combat illegal immigration, a growing number of state and
city officials across the United States are pursuing laws similar to
those enacted in Hazelton. These elected officials are driven by
Washington's failure to control our borders or deal with the more than
12 million illegal immigrants living in the U.S.
It is important to remove any ambiguity about the ability of states
and localities--the ones who bear the financial costs associated with
illegal immigration--to enforce their local ordinances aimed at
addressing illegal immigration in their community. In many ways,
illegal immigration is the ultimate unfunded mandate--the federal
government fails to control the border, but then saddles states and
localities with the costs imposed by illegal aliens (in the form of
education spending, public services, and law enforcement costs).
It is important to clarify that states and localities are not
preempted by federal law from imposing civil or criminal sanctions upon
those who employ, recruit or refer for a fee for employment,
unauthorized aliens. In the case of the ruling against Hazleton, the
judge went well beyond the intent of federal law. Essentially, he said
that cities and states are powerless to discourage illegal immigration
within their jurisdiction. The good news is that by amending the INA we
can address this problem and provide the degree of clarity to this
issue that would remove any ambiguity in the law. My legislation does
just this, and makes sure that cities and states have leeway to
reinforce federal immigration law.
If you believe that the Federal Government has failed to effectively
enforce our immigration laws, and believe that the Federal Government
should ensure that states and local communities have the ability to
discourage illegal immigration consistent with federal law, then join
me in passing the The Local Law Enforcement Restoration Act of 2007.

Rec'd with FAIR update via email