‘Sanctuary City’ Bill Gets Senate Hearing Without Much Fuss

A bill penalizing so-called sanctuary cities got another hearing before lawmakers Wednesday, this time with a considerably smaller crowd in attendance.

The Senate hearing’s sparse attendance was indeed a stark contrast to the massive crowd that gathered last month before an Assembly committee to decry the bill, which puts pressure on local law enforcement to contact federal immigration officials when undocumented immigrants have been charged with a crime.

The measure’s Senate author, Republican Sen. Stephen Nass of Whitewater, said he wants to prevent what happened in San Francisco, where a convicted felon and undocumented immigrant killed 32-year-old Kathryn Steinle last July.

“This is just one of many examples of innocent Americans who’ve been victims of crimes committed by illegal aliens,” Nass said.

Opponents of the bill say the California killing is an isolated incident. Waukesha resident Bernie Gonzalez called the proposal harmful for a state which depends on immigrant labor.

“Most of us are not here to commit crimes,” Gonzalez said. “We are here to make better lives for ourselves and our kids.”

In addition, he said the bill would lead immigrants to distrust police.

Communities that adopt policies the bill seeks to prevent could be challenged in court. If they’re found in violation, communities face the loss of $500 to $5,000 in shared revenue each day they aren’t in compliance.

Law enforcement in Madison and Milwaukee currently have policies on when to contact U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. At a previous legislative hearing, officials from both cities testified that they do turn over undocumented suspects to federal authorities once they’re charged with a crime.