This story is part of Wisconsin Right Now’s efforts to educate voters about the record of U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin.
U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin has supported sanctuary cities multiple times over the years, U.S. Senate records show.
For example, she voted against a bill that would have stripped federal grants from sanctuary cities. The bill would also have toughened penalties against aggravated felon illegal immigrants who reenter the country after being removed following a criminal conviction.
Baldwin’s current solution to illegal immigration affecting Wisconsin communities? She wants to send more U.S. tax dollars to them.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, sanctuary cities are “jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, such as failing to provide information about immigration status and limiting the length of immigration detainers.”
This is consistent with Tammy Baldwin’s pro-illegal immigrant voting record overall. She also previously voted against an amendment to deny financial assistance to illegal immigrants. She voted against “Kate’s Law,” a bill that would have created tougher criminal penalties for terrorists and aggravated felon illegal immigrants who are repeatedly deported but cross the border illegally again. She wrote a letter that demanded the release of illegal transgender immigrants into U.S. communities.
Texas has bused over 100,000 illegal immigrants to sanctuary cities since 2022.
“Operation Lone Star continues to fill the dangerous gaps created by the Biden Administration’s refusal to secure the border. Every individual who is apprehended or arrested and every ounce of drugs seized would have otherwise made their way into communities across Texas and the nation due to President Joe Biden’s open border policies,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said in a news release.
The fact is that Tammy Baldwin has been a staunch supporter of sanctuary cities.
Baldwin Pro Sanctuary City Vote #1
On Oct. 20, 2015, Baldwin voted against the “Stop Sanctuary Policies and Protect Americans Act.”
The bill would “hold sanctuary jurisdictions accountable for defying Federal law, to increase penalties for individuals who illegally reenter the United States after being removed, and to provide liability protection for State and local law enforcement who cooperate with Federal law enforcement and for other purposes.”
According to U.S. Senate records, Baldwin voted “no.”
The Senate gives these specific details about the bill:
“This bill prohibits a sanctuary jurisdiction from receiving grants under the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program, the Community Oriented Policing Services Program, and the Community Development Block Grant Program. A sanctuary jurisdiction is a state or political subdivision that has a policy or practice in effect that: (1) prohibits or restricts information sharing about an individual’s immigration status, or (2) prohibits compliance with a lawfully issued detainer request or notification of release request.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) must terminate grant funding 30 days after DOJ and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) determine, notify, and publish the states and political subdivisions that are sanctuary jurisdictions.
A state or political subdivision that complies with a detainer is deemed to be an agent of DHS. The bill authorizes such agent to take actions to comply with the detainer. It also limits the liability of such agent if the actions taken complied with the detainer.
The bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase from two years to five years the maximum prison term for an alien who reenters after being denied admission, excluded, deported, or removed.
It establishes a 10-year maximum prison term for an alien who reenters after being denied admission, excluded, deported, or removed on 3 or more prior occasions.
It establishes a five-year mandatory minimum prison term for an alien who reenters after being removed following a conviction for an aggravated felony or following two or more prior convictions for illegal reentry.”
Tammy Baldwin Pro Sanctuary City Vote #2
On July 6, 2016, Tammy Baldwin voted against the “Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act.”
That bill would “ensure that State and local law enforcement may cooperate with Federal officials to protect our communities from violent criminals and suspected terrorists who are illegally present in the United States.”
Again, Tammy Baldwin voted no, according to U.S. Senate records.
Senate records give these additional details of the bill:
“This bill prohibits a sanctuary jurisdiction from receiving grants under certain Economic Development Assistance Programs and the Community Development Block Grant Program. A sanctuary jurisdiction is a state or political subdivision that has a statute, policy, or practice in effect that prohibits or restricts: (1) information sharing about an individual’s immigration status, or (2) compliance with a lawfully issued detainer request or notification of release request.
A state or political subdivision that complies with a detainer is deemed to be an agent of the Department of Homeland Security and is authorized to take actions to comply with the detainer.
The bill limits the liability of a state or political subdivision, or an officer or employee of such state or political subdivision, for actions in compliance with the detainer.”
Tammy Baldwin Pro Sanctuary City vote #3
Tammy Baldwin also voted against an amendment to a bill that would “ensure that State and local law enforcement may cooperate with Federal officials to protect our communities from violent criminals and suspected terrorists who are illegally present in the United States.”
U.S. Senate records show that Baldwin voted no.
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