The Representatives’ “Stopping Illegal Immigration” press conference focused on the failure of the Biden Administration’s Open Border policy and highlighted a legislative package focused on stopping Illegal immigration in Illinois.
According to Rep. Davidsmeyer, President Biden’s time in office saw at least 530,000 illegal immigrants flood into the state, overwhelming resources, and blowing a hold in the cash-strapped state’s already shaky budget. Representative Davidsmeyer is sponsoring legislation (HB 1317) to repeal the Illinois TRUST Act, a misguided law that prohibits law enforcement agencies from working with federal authorities to detain and deport illegal immigrants. Davidsmeyer’s bill would end Illinois’ failed sanctuary state policy.
“The truth is the Democrats’ sanctuary state policy has cost Illinois taxpayers billions of dollars and made our communities less safe,” Davidsmeyer said. “And the Democrats’ giveaways to illegal immigrants are incentives for them to come to Illinois. If you build it, they will come. And they did.”
The Auditor General recently released an audit of the HBIA/HBIS healthcare program for illegal immigrants. That audit showed that the actual cost of the program was up to 286% higher than the Pritzker Administration’s estimates.
“From a fiscal standpoint, illegal immigration has cost Illinois taxpayers billions of dollars and taken critically needed funding away from social service programs for Illinois citizens. The State of Illinois provides better healthcare benefits for illegal immigrants than most Illinois families receive. In fact, on Governor Pritzker’s watch, the State has spent $2.2 billion in taxpayer funds on healthcare benefits for immigrant adults,” Davidsmeyer said.
Rep. Mike Coffey filed HB 3241 to allow Illinois counties the opportunity to opt out of complying with the provisions within the TRUST Act by adopting resolutions. The bill gives individual counties the right to set standards that are best suited for their residents and businesses.
“Last year, I visited the border to see our border problem firsthand and listen directly from the Border Patrol agents, agencies, and nonprofits handling the thousands of migrants flooding into Eagle Pass, Texas. I heard from officials from poor counties on the southern border without the funds or resources to pay for the influx of migrants and from organizations helping families navigate the aftermath of human trafficking and drugs.”
Rep. Jacobs also made his case to stop illegal immigration and stop the billions of dollars of drain on the state budget. Jacobs believes repealing the Illinois TRUST Act is the first step to begin solving the problem.
“The TRUST Act prohibits local law enforcement in Illinois from participating in immigration enforcement,” explained Rep. Jacobs. “We have a responsibility to require that immigrants come to our country the lawful way, and to keep our citizens and communities safe from the gangs, drugs, and crime that have so badly harmed so many people across our state and country.”
Rep. Jacobs who has also filed legislation (HB 1345) that would repeal the Illinois TRUST Act, quoted Republican President Ronald Reagan as he implored his Democrat colleagues to take up the repeal of the controversial, costly, and dangerous Sanctuary State policy, saying, “There is no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he doesn’t mind who gets the credit.”