Drake Introduces Empowering Our Local Communities Act

By Joe Budzinski on May 9, 2007 5:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Addressing the illegal alien problem as a public safety issue (background info here), U.S. Representative Thelma Drake (R-VA) introduced the Empowering Our Local Communities Act. Here is the press release:

Legislation increases funding for federal-state-local partnerships to identify and remove illegal aliens in U.S. judicial system

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Thelma Drake (R-Va.) today introduced legislation strengthening our nation's immigration laws by providing local communities with additional resources to identify and remove illegal aliens. The Empowering Our Local Communities Act authorizes an increase of $35 million over FY 2007 levels for an existing program that encourages partnerships between the federal government and state and local law enforcement agencies. Furthermore, it makes it a criminal offense to be in the United States illegally and toughens national DUI laws for those unlawfully present in the United States.

"Recently our community received a grim reminder of the effects that our nation's broken immigration policy can have on society," said Rep. Drake. "We've seen how lethal the results can be when that failed policy intersects with the epidemic of drunk driving. Local agencies are being overwhelmed to the point that illegal aliens can become habitual offenders before their status is ever discovered."

"Solving our nation's growing immigration crisis is going to require a commitment from every level of government. This legislation emphasizes the need for working partnerships aimed at preventing offenders from falling through the gaps."

Expanding the 287(g) Program

The Empowering Our Local Communities Act would authorize an increase in funding for the 287(g) program under the U.S. Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The 287(g) program allows the federal government to enter into partnerships with state and local law enforcement agencies for the purpose of identifying and removing illegal aliens currently in the U.S. judicial system. The program allows law enforcement agencies to develop uniquely tailored Memorandums of Agreement (MOA) defining the terms of the partnership.
The federal government reimburses the state and local agencies for the costs associated with training the designated officers to perform immigration law enforcement functions. Currently funded at $5.4 million in FY 2007, Drake's legislation would authorize $40 million in an effort to expand the program nationwide.

The 287(g) program is currently being implemented successfully in states such as California, Arizona, Florida, Alabama and North Carolina. To learn more about the program, visit http://www.ice.gov/partners/287g/Section287_g.htm.

Criminalizing Illegal Immigration

The Empowering Our Local Communities Act makes it a criminal misdemeanor for one to be illegally present in the United States. Under current law, it is a violation of U.S. civil code to be in the United States illegally.

Toughening DUI Laws for Illegal Aliens

The legislation sets more stringent penalties for illegal aliens convicted of vehicular manslaughter while driving under the influence of alcohol by requiring a jail sentence between five and forty years. This provision ensures that criminals are held accountable for crimes committed here in the United States.

Expanding the Institutional Removal Program (IRP)

Currently, the Institutional Removal Program, administered by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), identifies criminal illegal aliens within federal and state correctional facilities for the purpose of removing them upon completion of their sentences.

The Empowering Our Local Communities Act would expand the program to all states as a requirement for receiving federal funding for the incarceration of criminals. Furthermore, state and local law enforcement would be authorized to hold an illegal alien for up to 14 days after completion of the sentence in order to prepare for transfer to federal custody.

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