Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Steve King today introduced an amendment to enforce current immigration law, helping local and federal law enforcement work together toward common goals.  The amendment passed by voice vote. H.R. 2862, the Science, the Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2006, is expected to pass the House tomorrow; it will then be taken up by the Senate.

King’s amendment to H.R. 2862, the Science, the Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2006, would dedicate funds to enforce current federal law that requires government entities at all levels to comply with federal immigration law.  Federal immigration law is currently not enforced, because some cities prohibit police officers from requesting immigration status from offenders and reporting it to federal authorities. This means criminal aliens are not detected or deported, and it allows them to remain on our streets.

“Thousands of Americans die at the hands of illegal aliens every year.  Our state and local governments serve as the front line of defense against terrorism and criminal aliens,” said King. “Every murder, every rape, every violent gang crime committed against Americans by illegal aliens is an utterly preventable crime. If we better enforce our immigration laws to keep criminals out, we will save lives. We must use the law enforcement resources we have, at every level, to enforce our laws, with the end result of making our nation a safer place for our grandchildren to grow up in.”