U.S. Congressman Raul Labrador introduced a bill in the House Tuesday seeking to tighten enforcement of immigration laws and cracking down on so-called Sanctuary Cities.
The bill is called the Davis-Oliver Act; it’s named after two California law enforcement officers who were killed in 2014 by an undocumented immigrant.
Among the provisions of the bill are requirements that all applicants for a visa to the U.S. undergo additional screening. Part of that enhanced vetting includes letting security agencies access an applicant’s social media profiles.
Another facet of the bill withholds Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security grant funds to cities who refuse to comply with federal immigration laws, a.k.a. Sanctuary Cities. The proposed legislation provides a shield from legal action to jurisdictions that follow federal immigration directives. However, cities that don’t comply with federal rules can be sued by victims of crimes carried out by undocumented people previously convicted.
Finally, the bill strips the President's power to set enforcement priorities on immigration law. The Davis-Oliver Act would prevent states or cities from setting their own immigration policies. Instead, the bill allows local authorities to assist in the enforcement of federal immigration laws.
Labrador introduced the bill with Virginia Republican Bob Goodlatte. The Davis-Oliver Act will be considered by the House Judiciary Committee Thursday.
For more local news, follow the KBSX newsroom on Twitter @KBSX915
Copyright 2017 Boise State Public Radio