Arkansas Governor Unveils 'Defense Against Criminal Illegals Act'

Tornado Recovery Efforts

• 🌪️ Governor Sanders provided an update on recovery efforts following weekend tornadoes, visiting affected areas in Cave City and Paragould.
• 💔 Tragically, three Arkansans lost their lives, with dozens more injured, and the state has declared a state of emergency, releasing funds and deploying resources.
• 🤝 The state is working closely with federal partners, including President Trump and DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, to aid in relief efforts.

Defense Against Criminal Illegals Act

• ⚖️ The new legislation, the 'Defense Against Criminal Illegals Act,' aims to hold violent criminal illegal immigrants accountable for their crimes in Arkansas.
• 🚨 The act is presented as a state-level response to what is described as a catastrophic border crisis, with millions of unvetted illegal immigrants entering the U.S.
• 🚫 It will impose enhanced penalties on illegal immigrants who commit additional crimes while in the state and expand the Sanctuary City ban.
• 🤝 The legislation mandates that Arkansas law enforcement participate in the federal 287(g) program to improve cooperation with ICE and expedite deportations.

Legislative Support and Enforcement

• 🗣️ Representative Kavanaugh highlighted the importance of the bill in keeping Arkansans safe and providing law enforcement with necessary tools to assist ICE.
• 🚔 The bill aims to prevent failed sanctuary policies from taking root in Arkansas.
• ❓ While specific numbers of illegal immigrants in the state are not readily available, the focus is on preventing violent criminal illegal immigrants from operating within communities.
• ✅ Governor Sanders affirmed her commitment to signing the bill into law.