Gov. Bruce Rauner recently signed an immigration bill into law that many have criticized as moving Illinois a step closer to becoming a sanctuary state.
Senate Bill 31, which became the Trust Act upon enactment, protects undocumented immigrants from being arrested or detained by state and local police solely because of their immigration status. It does not protect an undocumented immigrant from being arrested or detained if a judge has issued a warrant.
The Chicago Tribune reported that Rauner views the bill as a "very reasonable, decent outcome."
Sen. Kyle McCarter (R-Lebanon)
West Central Reporter asked Sen. Kyle McCarter (R-Lebanon) for his take on the issue.
Q: What are your thoughts on Rauner signing this bill into law?
A: Signing SB31 has made Illinois a sanctuary state. This was bad policy and bad politics. It defied the president, the attorney general and the people who elected the governor. In the middle of a fiscal crisis the governor has chosen to make illegal immigrants his priority rather than the citizens he is suppose to be protecting. This new law puts the safety of Illinois citizens at risk and mandates that law enforcement ignore immigration detainers and keeps them (from) arresting or detaining illegal immigrants even if they might be a risk to the citizens or even a risk to national security.
Q: Is this a good compromise?
A: Absolutely not. There was not compromise. The language was narrowed down to only the most injurous components of the bill without any exceptions.
Q: Do you think this decision will affect his support from downstate voters?
A: The governor has lost much of his support from the people in southern Illinois who were responsible for electing him and President (Donald) Trump.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?
A: The language in the bill is very clear. Nothing can be done to spin this in another direction. The citizens are smart enough to know what the governor has done.
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