Sen. Rick Scott Announces Legislation Cracking Down on Sanctuary Cities and Putting Americans First

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Rick Scott announced the introduction of his Unifying American Security Interests (UASI) Act and the Sanctuary Jurisdiction Event Security Enhancement Act to crack down on sanctuary cities and stop them from using federal tax dollars to put criminal illegal aliens over the American people.

Senator Rick Scott said, "Democrat politicians are putting illegal aliens first and the American people last, harboring criminals in sanctuary cities where they refuse to enforce our laws. President Trump is doing his part by securing the border, now Congress must pass my bills to hold sanctuary cities and states accountable by withholding federal tax dollars until they cooperate with federal law enforcement."

Watch Senator Scott's remarks in last week's Budget Committee hearing exposing sanctuary cities HERE.

The Unifying American Security Interests (UASI) Act:

• Codifies existing DHS policy that requires at least 30% of all UASI grants go to five National Priority Areas (NPA)
• • Enhances the protection of soft targets/crowded places
  • Supports Homeland Security task forces and fusion centers
  • Enhances and integrating cybersecurity resiliency
  • Enhances election security
  • Supports Border Crisis response and enforcement
• Explicitly ties eligibility for these grants to ICE cooperation, including honoring detainers, joint training, and information-sharing

The Sanctuary Jurisdiction Event Security Enhancement Act:

• Prohibits "sanctuary jurisdictions" from receiving DHS Special Event Assessment Rating Funding for event security unless the jurisdiction certifies they are in full compliance with federal immigration law
• Any funds intended for jurisdictions not in compliance will be reallocated to ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations
• Requires DHS to submit a semiannual report to Congress on withheld and reallocated funds, including outcomes and security risks

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