WASHINGTON — Warning of threats to public safety and national security, the Republican-led House on Thursday approved two bills to crack down on illegal immigration, a key priority for President Donald Trump.
One bill would strip federal dollars from self-proclaimed “sanctuary” cities that shield residents from federal immigration authorities. A separate measure would stiffen punishments for people who re-enter the U.S. illegally.
The sanctuary measure was approved 228-195, while the bill to punish deportees was approved 257-167. Three Democrats joined all but seven Republicans to pass the sanctuary measure, while 24 Democrats backed the deportee bill. Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan was the only Republican who opposed the deportee bill.
The bills now go to the Senate.
Trump, who often railed against illegal immigration during his presidential campaign, hailed passage of the House bills and urged the Senate to act “save American lives.”
