It’s up to Congress to address immigration

The local Republican Party claims that the Kane County Board is classifying Kane County as a “sanctuary county.” The Republicans concerns include fear of rampant crime, tent cities and spending tax dollars on migrants. But the sanctuary status of Kane County already exists and has been around for seven years since Kane County Chairman Chris Lauzen was in office.

Signed by Gov. Bruce Rauner in 2017, the Trust Act prohibits the enforcement of federal immigration laws to stop, arrest or detain a person solely on an individual’s citizenship or immigration status. This measure was supported by Illinois businesses, faith-based and ethnic-based community organizations, as well as law enforcement and labor unions.

Republicans and Democrats recognize the southern border is in crisis.The U.S. House Republican Caucus recently refused to call a negotiated funding package that included an effective immigration policy. This bill, developed in a bipartisan effort over four months, finally addressed and developed policy for real immigration reform.

Shortly before the language of the bill was released, presidential candidate Donald Trump urged House Speaker Mike Johnson to oppose the inclusion of the immigration language. Trump put the safety of Americans aside to use the crisis at the southern border as a wedge issue for his presidential campaign.

The responsibility for resolving the immigration issue is that of the federal government, and yet House Republicans bowed to Trump and refused to act. We are left to pick up the pieces.

Kane County is recognized as one of the most beautiful counties in Illinois and consists of people who care about their communities and show genuine compassion for others. But the hearts and wallets of these kind individuals can give only so much.

It is up to members of Congress to step beyond politics, do their job and solve this issue. The citizens of Kane County are counting on them.

Corinne M. Pierog, Chairman

Kane County Board