Staff Reports
This week, the Louisiana Senate passed a measure that would allow state and local police to arrest anyone suspected of being in the United States illegally. The measure, known as S.B. 388, received strong support with a 28-11 vote in favor. The next step for the measure is to go to the state House of Representatives for further consideration.
Another State May Allow Police to Arrest Illegal Immigrants
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The bill proposes that local and state police would take on the responsibilities typically carried out by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. This means that they would be able to arrest anyone in Louisiana whom they suspect of entering the state without proper documentation or residing in the state without the appropriate visas.
Violating this measure could result in a year of jail time and/or fines of up to $4,000 for a first offense. Subsequent offenses could carry penalties of up to two years of jail time and/or fines totaling $10,000.
Senator Valarie Hodges, the Republican author of the legislation, emphasized that her primary concern is the people of Louisiana and the impact of illegal immigration on the state. She highlighted the economic costs, job impacts, crime rates, and safety concerns as key reasons for supporting the measure.
This action in Louisiana is in line with efforts in other states to address the issue of illegal immigration. The Georgia state House recently passed a similar bill following the tragic murder of a college student in Athens, Georgia. Additionally, Texas authorities have taken steps to arrest individuals crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally, under the directives of Gov. Greg Abbott’s Border Disaster Declaration.
This underscores the importance of addressing illegal immigration, highlighting the impact on jobs, crime rates, and state resources. It emphasizes the need to enforce immigration laws to enhance safety and security for the people of Louisiana and the United States.
