HB 675 (Metz), which requires that local law enforcement agencies enforce federal immigration policy, passed (
11-4) its final House committee, Judiciary, on Thursday. FCCB Executive Director Michael Sheedy outlined concerns in a
letter to the bill sponsor noting:
Immigration is a federal issue and states are precluded from regulating conduct in a field that Congress has determined must be regulated by its exclusive governance.
The bill is unnecessary in that federal policy already prohibits state and local government entities from restricting communications between Department of Homeland Security officials and state and local government officials.
Immigrants can already be prosecuted, since nothing in current law prevents any individual from being prosecuted and convicted for crimes.
The FCCB continues to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform at the federal level. The senate companion, SB 872 (Bean), has not yet been heard in committee.