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Subcommittee opening faults 'sanctuary' practices, cites Fairfax County and DOJ probe
Summary
The subcommittee chair opened a hearing criticizing local 'sanctuary' policies that the chair said prevent transferring or notifying federal immigration authorities; the statement singled out Fairfax County actions and referenced a Justice Department civil-rights inquiry.
The subcommittee chair opened the hearing saying the panel is increasingly concerned that some local and state jurisdictions have adopted 'sanctuary' policies that, in the chair's words, "refuse to transfer or notify federal authorities" about noncitizens in custody and thereby "release these criminals back into our communities." The chair framed the issue as a public-safety problem and said the Department of Justice's civil rights division is investigating related prosecutorial and detention decisions.
The chair argued these policies amount to a modern form of nullification, invoking John C. Calhoun's doctrine and alleging it now extends to 11 states. To illustrate, the chair singled out Fairfax County and quoted a local prosecutor's statement about making charging and plea decisions to limit immigration consequences. The chair said those choices undermine equal justice and urged the subcommittee to examine how elected officials entrusted with public safety make these decisions.
