With the stroke of a pen, President Donald Trump set into motion his plans to overhaul America’s immigration enforcement including efforts to build a wall on the Mexican border, increase the number of federal deportation agents, as well as cut funding for sanctuary cities
“A nation without borders is not a nation,” Trump said Wednesday in an address at the Office of Homeland Security. “Beginning today, the United States of America gets back control of its borders.
Trump continued, “We are going to get the bad ones out, the criminals, and the drug dealers and gangs and gang members and cartel leaders. The day is over when they can stay in our country and wreck havoc. We’re going to get them out, and we’re going to get them out fast.”
Alabama Republicans in Congress applauded President Trump for signing the series of immigration executive actions Wednesday. Here’s what they’re saying:
Alabama U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby:
Sanctuary cities blatantly ignore our nation’s immigration laws, which is why I have long advocated restricting their access to the Department of Justice’s state and local grant funding. I am pleased that President Trump recognizes that we must not allow municipalities to obstruct policies to remove illegal immigrants who have committed crimes.
Today’s executive action is a step in the right direction, and I look forward to working with the Trump Administration to ensure that action is taken against local governments who refuse to follow our immigration laws.
Alabama 1st District U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne:
It is exciting to have a President who is actually focused on securing our border and addressing the widespread issue of illegal immigration. I have said repeatedly that the immigration issue is critical because it deals directly with the safety and security of the American people. With the actions taken today, I think we are taking important steps in the right direction. More work will be needed, and I am committed to doing what I can in Congress to secure the border and stop illegal immigration.
Alabama 2nd District U.S. Rep. Martha Roby:
President Trump’s executive orders today represent a positive first step toward getting control of our illegal immigration problem through enhancing border security and cutting off the magnet of sanctuary cities.
We need to have immigration policies that put American’s interests first and discourage people from entering the country illegally. For too long, we’ve had the opposite.
I look forward to advancing policies that will help secure the border, stop illegal immigration, and prevent human trafficking through my work on the Judiciary and Appropriations Committees.
Alabama 5th District U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks:
I’m glad President Trump is quickly taking action to enforce our immigration laws, deport illegal aliens, and withhold federal funds from sanctuary cities. America is a nation of laws, first and foremost, and the President’s actions are a strong step toward restoring our country’s borders and broken immigration system.
