House bill threatens prison time for sanctuary city officials who obstruct ICE efforts
A house bill introduced by Steve King (R-Iowa) on Monday would send sanctuary city officials who obstruct Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) efforts to prison for up to five years.
The bill, HR-5884, is called the “Mayor Libby Schaaf Act of 2018”, is named after Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, who infamously tipped off 800 illegal immigrants to pending ICE operations in Oakland in February on what she called “legal and moral” grounds.
“[G]overnment officials who tip off illegal aliens about imminent federal immigration enforcement efforts could face up to 5 years in prison.” – Steve King (R-Iowa), speaking about HR-5884.
President Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions have both criticized Schaaf’s actions. Sessions accused the Oakland mayor of promoting a “radical, open borders agenda” during a March speech in California. President Trump suggested that the Justice Department open an investigation into Shaaf’s actions.
In a statement on Monday, Rep. King said, “Sanctuary politicians are placing the lives of citizens and law enforcement officers in jeopardy by giving illegal aliens warnings about impending ICE actions in local jurisdictions.” King added, “This is obstruction of justice, and Americans do not have to put up with it. Under my bill, government officials who tip off illegal aliens about imminent federal immigration enforcement efforts could face up to 5 years in prison.”
“I want lawless, Sanctuary City politicians to hear this message clearly: if you obstruct ICE, you are going to end up in the cooler.” – Steve King (R-Iowa)
King’s bill follows state legislation recently signed into law by Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Abbott’s sanctuary city restriction makes it possible for the state to bring criminal charges against police and local officials who choose not to cooperate with ICE operations in the state. The ban also raises civil penalties for organizations, including colleges, who protect illegal immigrants.
Said Rep. King, “I want lawless, Sanctuary City politicians to hear this message clearly: if you obstruct ICE, you are going to end up in the cooler.”
