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Committee forwards S 1260 on immigration enforcement; two senators record nay votes
Summary
The committee voted to send S 1260, the Immigration Cooperation and Enforcement Act, to the Senate floor with a do pass recommendation; Senators Wintrow and Ruchti asked to be recorded voting nay, expressing concerns about DACA and preemption of federal law.
The Senate Judiciary & Rules Committee voted to send S 1260, titled the Immigration Cooperation and Enforcement Act, to the floor with a do pass recommendation after discussion led by Chairman Lakey. Chairman Lakey said the language — proposed by the Attorney General's Office — “would strengthen state immigration enforcement” and described that "this legislation would apply to adults that knowingly enter, attempt to enter, or are present contrary to federal immigration laws," while also providing an affirmative defense for presence in the country.
Committee debate highlighted concerns about federal preemption and the bill's effect on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients. Senator Wintrow asked whether the bill would eliminate DACA in state code and whether it would prevent a bona fide asylum applicant from having a defense; Chairman Lakey responded that he was "not aware of the nuances of DACA" and that "if an individual had an affirmative defense to be present in the country, they were not in violation." Senators Wintrow and Ruchti asked to be recorded voting nay on the committee's voice-vote approval.
