We need to end sanctuary cities once and for all

The recent death of a woman who was shot by an illegal alien in San Francisco, Calif., an illegal alien who had been previously deported from the United States on five occasions, highlights the federal government’s refusal to enforce our country’s existing immigration laws. We need to end the existence of so-called sanctuary cities by supporting the Davis-Oliver Act that would require all cities and states to cooperate with federal immigration agents.

The Obama Administration’s recent decision to end the Secure Communities program that allowed federal immigration agents to detain illegal aliens held at state and local jails is only part of the problem. More than 200 cities refuse to cooperate with federal immigration agents, and the Obama Administration has done nothing to prevent them from doing so.

But Congress shares the blame as well. For years, bills have been introduced that end sanctuary cities but lawmakers have not acted upon them. We need to prevent future tragedies committed by criminal illegal aliens and support the Davis-Oliver Act that would end sanctuary cities once and for all.

Spokane, Wash., is a sanctuary city. People are coming into our area without a background check. As they enter Spokane, it is not far for them to come into Stevens County and the Colville area. The Davis-Oliver Act introduced by Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions and South Carolina Congressman Trey Gowdy is named after Michael Davis, Jr. and Danny Oliver, who are two California deputy sheriffs murdered by illegal aliens.

Ecclesiastes 8:11 reads: “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is full set in them to do evil.” This quote is from the Holy Bible. Yes, sanctuary cities must end.

— Dr. Arthur Houk, Colville, Wash.