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Rep. Ted Poe, (R-Texas), immigration attorney Alberto Cardenas and National Immigration Forum Executive Director Ali Noorani on the Obama Administrati...
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South Carolina is the newest target of the Obama Justice Department the administration challenging yet another state.
With anti illegal immigration laws in the -- form tonight we focus on our on going discussion of illegal immigration.
And some of the concrete solutions to the issue we're joined tonight by Republican congressman Ted Poe congressman good to have you here.
-- -- and also Alberto conference junior attorney who serves as counsel to business interest affected by immigration laws also former General Counsel.
The senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson.
And -- -- new Ronnie executive director of the national immigration -- good to see you.
And let's let's Begin with the idea -- that.
The Justice Department -- let's just start with -- let's take a look at a map now we have Justice Department actions against three state.
South Carolina.
Alabama.
And Arizona.
What you see there in yellow are states with Sanctuary Cities states with sanctuary laws in which there's an abject refusal to imports.
Immigration laws.
12626.
In all seventy cities that have sanctuary.
All laws across the country and not one of those has been sued.
By the US Justice Department the Obama Justice Department calling Iran -- want to hazard -- guess -- to.
Why.
Well I think first of all that I can't see the graphics sons and shooting some of the line here but -- -- -- -- you -- -- State's 46 states says seventy Sanctuary Cities.
The refused to enforce US law.
But when you're looking at the Alabama the South Carolina Georgia law.
It's clear -- those laws are not constitutional because that job for the federal government to enforce immigration law.
And it's -- checkout their for the Department of Justice to make sure that any law the state level.
Meets that the -- -- constitution so we think that that the DOJ is taking the right step.
In holding these states accountable for their efforts to to really over -- the constitution.
Got it you confuse me a little bit early and you don't normally do that as a you said that it's their job.
Of the Justice Department the federal government to enforce US immigration laws right and then you said that's the reason.
That they're suing states.
Because it's their job it.
I understand how that's all there is none of that.
It's Israel I think she'd been picked their focusing on enforcement then.
It would be helpful there potent they are -- focusing on -- -- enforcement to know when I'm gonna be happy to talk about that but those states.
They're taking immigration enforcement into their own hands and overstepping the bounds of the constitution.
That is why the Department of Justice has filed these lawsuits and we think that's a very good step.
For the interest of the nation.
All right not or Europe your thoughts.
A law enforcement officer as a law enforcement officers that there to enforce laws if it happens that the state or local level or at the federal level.
I think if everybody's working and unison and coordinated approach then we're in a good step I hope none of those Sanctuary Cities.
That you mentioned -- in taxes -- -- that orders they are today are there -- Couple -- Well.
I don't know which ones they are what else are you know -- your hair and and we don't start with Houston's that your -- your clothes that you.
Well I'm I'm here at home in Houston get home of of a congressman on our panel as well look at Harris County we have the 287 G agreement -- -- county jail.
We got secure communities yours well.
It is a coordinated approach with regard to the states that are imposing these laws if there is a violation.
US citizen rights and I think the Justice Department has an effort and an ability to step in but the clear priority should be on working with congress.
And getting the administration and congress to pass legislation that makes sense.
I think congressman -- as a bill that does well.
