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Home > Blogs > Butler County News and Issues > Archives > 2008 > April > 16 > Entry
Cates spurs Senate to enforce immigration laws
Just received this press release from the state Senate press office:
COLUMBUS—The Ohio Senate this afternoon offered strong bipartisan support for two important bills sponsored by State Senator Gary Cates (R-Butler County), which seek to reduce the tremendous strain illegal immigration has placed on local, state and federal resources, while establishing the opportunity for a key partnership between the federal government and local law enforcement to detain those who have violated immigration laws.
Earlier this year, concerned about inaction at the federal level to address the growing problem of illegal immigration in this country, Sen. Cates introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 16 to “urge the President of the United States and the United States Congress to secure our nation’s borders and to aggressively enforce all existing federal immigration laws.” SCR 16 received unanimous approval in the Senate today and will now move to the Ohio House for further consideration.
Cates explained that the influx of illegal immigrants has placed a tremendous strain on limited local and state resources, including our schools, social programs, courts, law enforcement and prisons, and it is the basic duty of the federal government to secure the borders and enforce the law, so states do not get stuck paying the bill for these added services.
“Unfortunately, the escalating number of illegal aliens coming into this country demonstrates a lack of strong laws and enforcement measures at the federal level to stop people from crossing our borders,” said Cates. “It is time that folks in Washington take action to address this growing problem.”
At the same time Sen. Cates is calling on Congress and the President to act, he is also working to expand local law enforcement’s authority to help investigate and enforce federal immigration laws.
“While the problem of illegal immigration is a national issue, the failure of our federal government to enforce our immigration laws and secure our borders has placed an undue burden on local law enforcement. These dedicated men and women witness on a daily basis the toll illegal immigration has taken on many communities in Ohio; however, they have limited ability, under current law, to do anything about it,” explained Cates.
Senate Bill 260, legislation Sen. Cates introduced in November 2007, would grant local law enforcement additional tools to help federal officials enforce the law and deal with the challenges that illegal immigration poses for local governments. Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones and Butler County Prosecutor Robin Piper brought the idea for SB 260 to Sen. Cates attention, and both men testified in support of the bill before the Senate State and Local Government Committee in January.
According to an Attorney General’s opinion commissioned by Prosecutor Piper, under current law, a county sheriff has the authority to arrest and detain illegal immigrants, who violate a criminal provision of federal immigration law. However, this authority does not extend to civil provisions in the law, which includes matters of deportation.
SB 260 would authorize a county sheriff, upon the request of federal immigration officials, to also assist in the investigation and apprehension of illegal aliens, who violate civil provisions of the law. The bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan approval this afternoon, and has also received backing from the County Sheriffs Association, the County Prosecutors Association and the County Commissioners Association.
“I would like to thank Sheriff Jones and Prosecutor Piper for their dedicated work on this effort and for the great work they do every day to uphold the laws of Ohio and keep the people of Butler County safe,” said Cates.
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