“Let’s invest in the resources that they can assure all law enforcement officers are true, good for all people across their state and across this country.’
‘If the federal government will not enforce the immigration laws, our state and local law enforcement should be empowered to do so.’
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) today delivered remarks on the Floor of the United States Senate during National Police Week to highlight examples of outstanding law enforcement officers in Alabama and to discuss the introduction of the Empowering Law Enforcement Act.
Excerpts from his remarks can be found below, and the full speech can be viewed here.
On Honoring Law Enforcement During National Police Week:
“Being a law enforcement officer is one of the toughest jobs that there is, but it’s also foundational to a functioning society. We rely on these brave men and women to protect and serve our country every day.”
“We’re lucky to have many brave and honorable officers in Alabama and around the country. I think about Officer Jonathan Espino, from the Decatur Police Department. Last year, he responded to a medical call. A man was trying to bring his mom back to life, trying to perform CPR. Officer Espino took over for the man after he arrived and began CPR. Just before medical personnel arrived, the woman’s heart started beating again, and she was gasping for air. He saved her life.”
“And I think of officer Wesley Harrison from Abbeville Police Department. Officer Harrison received a call that a woman was in a burning building. Officer Harrison arrived on the scene minutes later and was able to carry the elderly woman out of the structure with help of another investigator.”
“These police officers went above and beyond the call of duty and lives were saved because of their heroism.”
“How would you like to every day wake up, put a uniform on, a badge on your chest, a gun on your side, leave your family, walk out the door not knowing if it might be the last time you ever walk into that home or see your family?”
“That’s what happens to these law enforcement officers every day of their career, which is why I firmly believe we need more support for law enforcement, not less. They need more training so they can be better at handling difficult situations. This is especially true as we see an uptick in mental health issues all across this country.”
“They need targeted resources so they can recruit the best and brightest for these important roles in the community and across our country. Let’s invest in the resources that they can assure all law enforcement officers are a true good for all people across their state and across this country.”
On the Empowering Law Enforcement Act:
“Right now, unless state and local law enforcement agencies have an agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, if an officer encounters an illegal alien in the course of performing their normal duties in their hometowns, they cannot arrest or detain that individual for immigration purposes.”
“Right now, ICE arrests are low even while illegal border crossings are historically high. Under President Biden’s enforcement of our immigration laws, which has fallen dramatically, arrests by ICE for the last four months have [fallen] 66%.”
“If the federal government will not enforce the immigration laws, our state and local law enforcement should be empowered to do so.”
“That’s why today I introduced the Empowering Law Enforcement Act, which grants inherent authority to state and local officials to enforce our nation’s immigration laws. Additionally, my bill will give federal authorities the flexibility to extend the amount of time they can detain criminal aliens.”
“If a state or local law enforcement entity is detained, an alien in this bill would be required by Homeland Security to take that illegal alien into custody upon request from that entity.”
“And the bill ensures state and local authorities can get reimbursed for the costs related to the incarceration and transportation of the alien.”
“The Empowering Law Enforcement Act is about common sense. If the Biden administration won’t enforce the law, let’s empower those that will.”
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, and HELP Committees.
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