2017: Fitzpatrick Voted For Legislation That Would Have Increased
Criminal Penalties For Immigrants Who Were Previously Deported, But
Returned And Are Then Convicted Of A Crime. In July 2017, Fitzpatrick
voted for legislation that would have, according to Congressional
Quarterly, "establish[ed] specific possible fines and prison sentences
for undocumented immigrants convicted of certain criminal offenses and
who illegally return to the United States despite having been previously
deported or otherwise excluded from the country. The bill would [have]
establish[ed] maximum sentences for such individuals with varying
criminal histories, including a 10-year maximum sentence for illegal
immigrants who reattempt to enter the country after three or more
deportations, even if such individuals have not been convicted of any
other crimes." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a
vote of 257 to 167. The Senate took no substantive action on the
legislation. [House Vote 344,
6/29/17; The Hill,
6/27/17;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
3004]
Legislation Would Have Created a Xenophobic Sentiment And A Double
Standard. In a Huffington Post, "It is especially unfair to paint
undocumented immigrants as likely criminals when we take into
consideration some of the reasons why immigrants come to the United
States in the first place. Many immigrants who cross the border are
doing so in order to escape political instability, gang violence,
and poor economies back in their home countries. These are people
who are self-selecting to raise families in a peaceful, stable
place. Yes, entering the U.S. illegally is technically a crime. But
there is a double standard for giving immigrants legal status as
political refugees. Many groups who are fleeing violence, such as
Syrian migrants, are securing refugee status; but Mexicans and other
Central Americans are usually not legally considered 'refugees' even
though they are fleeing similar conflicts. There seems to be little
clear justification for this double standard." [Huffington Post,
4/28/17]
ACLU: Legislation Is A "Shortsighted And Ill-Conceived
Response." According to The Washington Post, "Civil rights groups,
including the American Civil Liberties Union, have strongly opposed
Kate's Law, calling it a 'shortsighted and ill-conceived response'
to the young woman's slaying. They argue that it is blanket
legislation that would penalize even those who come to the United
States to escape persecution. Opponents also say that the bill
perpetuates the false notion that undocumented immigrants are
inherently criminals." [The Washington Post,
6/29/17]
Kate Steinle's Murder Was A Catalyst For Crackdown On Sanctuary
Cities. According to The Atlantic, 'Kate's Law is named after Kate
Steinle, who died on July 1 after being shot on Pier 14 in San
Francisco. Police arrested Juan Francisco Lopez-Sanchez, a Mexican
national and convicted felon who was in the United States illegally,
and charged him with Steinle's murder. Lopez-Sanchez subsequently
admitted to firing the gun, but claimed Steinle was not the target
and that her death was accidental. Steinle's death set off a
firestorm of protests among opponents of illegal immigration. Donald
Trump transmuted some of the outrage over Steinle's death, as well
as his broader invectives against illegal immigration and "political
correctness," into frontrunner status in the Republican
presidential-nominee race." [The Atlantic,
9/6/15]