Feb. 03, 2017
HARRISBURG—Rep. Martina White (R-Philadelphia) today urged Mayor Jim Kenney to follow the advice of City Council President Darrell Clarke and abandon his hard line position on sanctuary cities that protect the most violent criminals in the United States illegally.
“I wholeheartedly agree with Council President Clarke that Mayor Kenney must re-evaluate his sanctuary city executive order and find ways to work with federal officials. If he refuses, his illegal policy could cost Philadelphia millions in federal dollars,” White said.
Clarke made his comments following Thursday’s council session. He said the city could not sustain the loss of federal funds.
Clarke was responding to the actions of President Donald Trump, who signed an executive order threatening to withhold federal funding from municipalities that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration officers.
“The law is clear, only the federal government can make immigration law and policies. Mayor Kenney has over stepped his authority and the damage to Philadelphia could be devastating.” White said.
In the 2015-16 term, the House passed White’s legislation—
House Bill 1885-- to allow those injured by illegal immigrants to sue sanctuary cities and municipalities that refuse to co-operate with federal immigration officials. The session ended before the bill could reach the governor’s desk. White will reintroduce her legislation this year.
“The citizens of our Commonwealth should know their safety is a primary concern of their local officials,” White said. “I also urge other members of City Council to join Council President Clarke and come into compliance with federal law and put the safety of Philadelphia’s citizens and legal immigrants first.”
Representative Martina White
170th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: David Foster
267.207.0207
dfoster@pahousegop.com
RepWhite.com /
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