Rep. Marsha Blackburn's CLEAR Act Provides Federal Assistance to Local Communities in the Enforcment of Immigration Laws
Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) has introduced the CLEAR Act (H.R.100) that would provide federal assistance to local communities that help enforce federal immigration laws. The bill's key goal is "helping local law enforcement detect, arrest and detain illegal aliens in their communties."
The CLEAR Act would authorize the federal government to reimburse states and localities for the costs of incarcerating illegal aliens. Pres. Barack Obama's FY2012 budget proposal eliminates all funding for this program, the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP). In addition to continuing the funding for SCAAP, the CLEAR Act also would provide the following enhancements to promote effective enforcement of immigration law:
- Recognition of the inherent authority of states and localities to enforce immigration law;
- Improved information sharing between state and local governments and the federal government;
- A mandate for the federal government to expeditiously remove criminal aliens being detained by states and localities; and
- Increased federal resources for local governments that choose to assist in immigration enforcement.
The CLEAR Act has 6 cosponsors, including Rep. Dean Heller (R-Nev.), Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.), Rep. David Dreier (R-Calif.), Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas), and Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.).