Rep. Todd Rokita (R-IN) unveiled the Stopping Lawless Actions of Politicians (SLAP) Act on Monday to impose huge fines and jail state and local politicians who obstruct American immigration law.
“The American people are rightfully infuriated watching politicians put their open-borders ideology before the rule of law, and the safety of the people they represent. Politicians don’t get to pick and choose what laws to comply with. Americans are dying because politicians sworn to uphold the law refuse to do so,” Congressman Rokita said. “It’s time the federal government gets serious about enforcing immigration laws and holding politicians accountable who conspire to break them.”
Rep. Rokita’s bill would slap public officials with prison time and large fines should they violate federal immigration law. The bill goes further than the House-passed No Sanctuary for Criminals Act, which would strip state and local governments of federal funds should they refuse to cooperate with federal immigration officials. Rokita’s SLAP bill would subject local politicians to five years in jail or up to $1 million in fines.
Congressman Rokita told Fox News, “Politicians don’t get to pick and choose what laws to comply with. Americans are dying because politicians sworn to uphold the law refuse to do so.”
A jury found five-time deportee and seven-time felon illegal alien Jose Garcia Zarate, also known as Juan Francisco López-Sánchez, not guilty last week in the case of the 2015 murder of Kate Steinle.
Kate’s Law and the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act continue to languish in the Senate; both bills passed through the House of Representatives in June. Kate’s Law increases penalties for illegal immigrants who repeatedly re-enter the country illegally, while the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act restricts grant money to cities that prevent their police from turning over dangerous criminals to federal authorities.
Congressman Rokita revealed in his statement on Monday that he opposes amnesty, supports building a wall on the southern border, and voted for Kate’s Law to crack down on sanctuary cities.
“It’s time the federal government gets serious about enforcing immigration laws and holding politicians accountable who conspire to break them,” the Indiana Republican charged.