Lawmakers Unveil "No Sanctuary" Legislation

State Representative Daryl Metcalfe revealed new additions to the illegal immigration reform package. House bills 2627 and 2628, both sponsored by the Butler County Republican, crack down on municipalities promoting residency of illegal aliens. Under these measures, the Pennsylvania Secretary of State would have the authority to investigate municipalities believed to promote illegal alien sanctuary. The offending municipality's state appropriations would be held in escrow accounts until sanctuary ordinances are removed and damages incurred to citizens by illegal aliens would be required to be repaid by the municipality. Metcalfe says other states have enacted similar legislation and that Pennsylvania must also. He says that states without these laws look appealing to aliens and, as a result, have a higher illegal alien population. The measures are a follow-up to recently passed laws that revoke public benefits for illegal aliens and penalize employers who knowingly employ illegal aliens.