The safety of his own community and others across the nation has spurred Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey and dozens of his colleagues to take their case to Washington DC next week to find solutions to the illegal immigrant issue in America.
Sheriff Bailey will be in the nation’s capitol next Wednesday, September 5th, to meet with White House officials on illegal immigration matters, and to urge Congress to act on pending legislation to increase border security.
Bailey will join almost 50 other Sheriffs from across the country as a united group of elected law enforcement officers at a media event on Capitol Hill on Wednesday morning. Joined by some members of Congress, the group of Sheriffs will share their experiences and public safety challenges associated with illegal aliens, and call on Congress to act on pending legislation to increase border security and reform the immigration system.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Sheriffs will participate in a roundtable discussion at the White House with administration officials and policymakers. Hosted by the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, the roundtable will focus on immigration, border security and efforts by some elected officials to prevent the critical collaboration of local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies. These partnerships maximize law enforcement’s potential to identify criminals in communities and remove them from neighborhoods.
Sheriff Bailey tells us, “The purpose of this visit is to express the urgency of Congress passing legislation immediately on the security aspects of immigration reform.” He adds, “It is our intention to tell Congress that their failure to deal with this issue for 20 years has made our communities less safe and has undermined our promise to the people who elected us to keep them safe.”
Bailey promises that, “During our visit to the White House, we will discuss the challenges we face as a result of the ongoing Congressional stalemate, strategies to more easily identify criminal illegal aliens, and explore ways to expand and protect our valuable and critically important relationships with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners.” Plus, he says, “We will also take the opportunity to express and thank President Trump and his administration for re-establishing law enforcement’s footing to enforce our laws.”
Bailey reminds everyone, “America’s Sheriffs are elected by the people in their communities to keep them safe,” and argues, “The continued inaction of Congress has put a major roadblock in law enforcement’s path to protecting our citizens and legal residents. It is our sworn duty to protect our citizens, and we, as Sheriffs, view this opportunity to push for meaningful immigration reform as a way to uphold our promise, our commitment, to the people who elected us to protect them.”
Sheriff Bailey will participate in a 10am press conference on Capitol Hill, and then proceed to the White House for a 3pm roundtable discussion with his fellow Sheriffs and White House officials.
