Celebrating America’s birthday – Congressman Bob Goodlatte

Celebrating America’s Birthday

Over the next few days, many of us will come together to celebrate America’s independence. We gather to honor the vision and spirit of our Founding Fathers at the birth of a new country. Even though 241 years have passed and we have faced many difficult moments, the ideals and freedoms upon which America was founded still ring true. While we may take it for granted most days, it is indeed a blessing to be an American.

May God bless all those who have served to protect our freedoms and those who continue to serve the cause of freedom today. From my family to yours, I wish you a happy and safe Fourth of July!

House Acts to Curb Sanctuary City Policies

Kate Steinle, Sarah Root, Grant Ronnebeck – all three of these individuals were killed at the hands of individuals illegally present in the United States. Any loss of life is tragic, but their deaths are especially devastating since they could have been prevented if our immigration laws had been enforced.

For years, the lack of immigration enforcement and the spread of dangerous sanctuary city policies have failed the American people. By refusing to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement authorities, sanctuary policies allow unlawful and criminal immigrants to be released onto the streets. Things must change. After working closely with several members of the House Judiciary Committee, I introduced the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act and Kate’s Law. This week, the House took up, and passed, both of these important bills to help protect our communities.

The No Sanctuary for Criminals Act withholds certain federal grants administered by the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security from communities that violate federal law by prohibiting their law enforcement officers from communicating with immigration officials. The bill also contains Sarah and Grant’s Law to ensure unlawful immigrants convicted of drunk driving, or arrested for other dangerous crimes, are held without bond during their removal proceedings.

Kate’s Law is named in memory and in honor of Kate Steinle. Two years ago, Kate was murdered in San Francisco by a criminal alien who had been removed from the United States and had returned at least five times. Kate’s Law enhances the current maximum sentences for illegal reentry into the U.S., serving as a strong deterrent for deported felons seeking to come back to the United States. These bills are a good step toward improving our immigration laws, and I call on the Senate to pass them without delay.
Click here to read my weekly column for more on these bills.

Don’t Miss It…

In The Hill newspaper: The House can bolster immigration enforcement by passing two bills

On America’s Newsroom: I spoke to Shannon Bream about the House’s vote on my bills to strengthen public safety and crack down on sanctuary city policies.

At the White House Earlier this week, I participated in a roundtable at the White House where I heard from many who have lost loved ones as a result of crimes committed by unlawful immigrants.

WATCH: I joined Speaker Ryan’s press conference this week to urge my colleagues in the House to pass Kate’s Law and the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act.