A bipartisan coalition led by Representative Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) hosted a press conference at the state Capitol on Wednesday to unveil the newest additions to the National Security Begins at Home illegal immigration reform package.  

 

“Whether the more than 3,000 illegal aliens documented in our frequently updated Invasion PA report were or ever will be convicted of the additional offenses of homicide, human trafficking, drug running, gang violence or stealing American jobs, there is nothing alleged or even hypothetical about their criminal status or the need for immediate legislative action on the entire National Security Begins at Home package,” said Metcalfe, who has also introduced House Bill 750 to require mandatory employer enrollment in the federal government’s E-Verify program to confirm Social Security numbers of prospective employees.

 

“Let us never forget that every illegal alien’s very first step across our borders is a violation of our federal immigration laws which makes them foreign invaders. Therefore, the only right they have as non-American citizens is to go home on their own or face incarceration, deportation, and at the very least, criminal prosecution to the fullest extent of the law. Establishing a zero-tolerance policy against illegal alien invaders and especially any government entity who harbors them remains our foremost and most effective defenses against global terrorism, infectious diseases and importing even more third-world poverty,” added Metcalfe.

 

Sponsored by Metcalfe, House Bills 2627 and 2628 would level the following legal and economic sanctions against any “sanctuary” city, municipality or other local government entity that willfully violates federal immigration law by adopting ordinances, policies or informal procedures to encourage illegal alien invaders to reside within its borders or otherwise obstructs law enforcement activities: 

“I have already authored two separate pieces of legislation to bring federal and state government together in training local law enforcement to actively assist in the capture of illegal aliens and provide Pennsylvania State Police with complete criminal history information that cross-checks both citizenship and immigration status with those previously arrested,” said Creighton, who is the prime sponsor of House Bills 751 and 752.  “Another key aspect to improving enforcement of existing immigration laws is to ensure that local government and municipal officials do not illegally handcuff local law enforcement officers in apprehending and detaining illegal aliens until federal authorities arrive, which is precisely why I stand firmly behind Representative Metcalfe’s No Sanctuary legislation.”

 

To further make their case for immediate enactment of the National Security Begins at Home package, Metcalfe, Creighton, and other legislative co-sponsors in attendance referenced the following statistics provided by Jack Martin, special project director, Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) to quantify the ever-increasing taxpayer costs directly associated with Pennsylvania’s estimated 125,000 to 150,000 illegal alien population: 

Martin’s October 2007 testimony before the House Republican Policy committee also strongly emphasized: “the lack of adequate enforcement encourages illegal immigration to the United States, the measures adopted and enforced by a state or local government will either attract more illegal residents or deter them. That is the test that should be kept in mind when legislating on this issue.”

 

“Simply put, there should be no economic rewards, public benefits or employment privileges for anyone who is guilty of breaking our nation’s immigration laws,” said Mustio whose National Security Begins at Home legislation (House Bill 753) would terminate the professional license of any employer that knowingly hires an illegal alien.   “Final enactment of Representative Metcalfe’s No Sanctuary legislation and the rest of the National Security Begins at Home package will send a clear message that our Commonwealth is serious about protecting the best economic interests of legally employed workers and honest, patriotic law-abiding businesses and local governments that refuse to undermine the legitimate process of legal immigration by illegally catering to foreign invaders.”

 

Currently the following United States cities have officially adopted sanctuary ordinances banning city employees and police officers from asking individuals about their immigration status: Washington, D.C.; New York City; Los Angeles; Chicago; San Francisco; Santa Ana; San Diego; Salt Lake City; Phoenix; Dallas; Houston; Austin; Detroit; Jersey City; Minneapolis; Miami; Denver; Baltimore; Seattle; Portland, Oregon; New Haven, Connecticut; and Portland, Maine.

 

Although there are currently no official sanctuary cities in Pennsylvania, over the last two years city officials in both Allentown and York introduced, but did not enact sanctuary ordinances.  In June 2007, several Pennsylvania mayors, including John Brenner (York), Chris Doherty (Scranton), Richard Friedberg (Meadville), Richard Gray (Lancaster), Ed Pawloski (Allentown), Luke Ravenstahl (Pittsburgh), Brian Sanford (Titusville) and Rick Vilello (Lock Haven), went on public record at aclupa.blogspot.com in opposition to Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta’s city ordinance to criminally penalize individuals caught providing jobs, housing or other taxpayer-funded benefits to illegal aliens.

 

“It is simply unacceptable and a slap in the face to all those citizens working diligently and LEGALLY to provide for their families, that we would ask them for yet more of their hard earned dollars to pay for the needs of illegal immigrants,” said Perry, the prime sponsor of House Bill 754 which would eliminate all non-medical emergency public benefits for illegal aliens   “It is unconscionable that any government would mandate its taxpayers, many of which who can ill-afford the very services they are forced to bankroll, to pay for anything on behalf of those here illegally.”

 

Metcalfe closed out Wednesday morning’s press conference by encouraging all Pennsylvania citizens to sign the National Security Begins at Home petition which can be found, online at RepMetcalfe.com, RepCreighton.com, RepMustio.com, or RepPerry.com.

 

“The National Security Begins at Home package is intended to make the Keystone State a permanent no-vacancy zone for illegal aliens and the corresponding threats to our national sovereignty and personal safety,” said Metcalfe.   “I encourage all Pennsylvanians who want safer communities, free of illegal aliens to sign the National Security Begins at Home petition today.”

 

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Contact: Ty McCauslin

House Republican Public Relations

(717) 772-9979