Sen. Banks Blocks Democrats’ Attempt to Create “Sanctuary Bus Stops” for Illegal Aliens

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) delivered remarks on the Senate floor objecting to Sen. Chris Murphy's (D-Conn.) legislation that would prohibit ICE from enforcing federal immigration law at school bus stops. Banks warned that the bill would create "sanctuary bus stops" for illegal aliens and put children in harm's way.

During his remarks, Banks highlighted recent crimes committed by illegal aliens in Indiana and pointed to ICE's successful five-day operation in early September that resulted in the arrests of 426 illegal aliens across the state.

Click the image above or view the full speech here.

See remarks below:

"Mr. President, reserving the right to object: this is just another attempt by Democrats to stop ICE from doing their job and enforcing our immigration laws. As you're seeing today, Democrats will do anything they can to stop ICE from securing our nation.

"In my state of Indiana over the weekend, an illegal with an ICE detainer, drunk and behind the wheel, killed an innocent 33-year-old woman, Tamara Thomas, as she was walking near a gas station in Indianapolis.

"Tamara is not the first Hoosier who lost her life because of the illegal immigration crisis.

"In February, an illegal ran a red light and killed 64-year-old Terry Schultz in Avon, IN.

"And in that same month, an illegal semi-truck driver who entered the country using Biden's CBP One app swerved into oncoming traffic and killed four Amish men in Jay County, IN.

"A couple of months ago, Indianapolis police arrested an illegal from Mexico, who now faces 30 charges, including rape, sexual assault and kidnapping. This illegal came into the country under the Biden Administration.

"Last year, a 35-year-old illegal who was living in Indianapolis was sentenced to 35 years in prison after he sexually exploited and abused a 15-year-old girl.

"Hoosiers are going to keep getting killed and harmed by illegals unless we let ICE officers do their jobs. The madness needs to end, and it needs to end now. ICE needs to be allowed to do their job without Democrat politicians getting in their way.

"This bill that I am objecting to will prohibit ICE from operating at school bus stops. But we know that illegal aliens are often at or near bus stops.

"In Virginia last year, ICE arrested a 36-year-old illegal alien from Mexico, a convicted pedophile, who exposed himself to a child at a school bus stop! How can anyone hear this awful story and think that the answer is to get ICE out of bus stops?!

"Mr. President, if we prohibit ICE from operating at school bus stops, you know what will happen? We'll just create "sanctuary bus stops!" All the illegals in the country will just hide out at bus stops, knowing that ICE isn't allowed to touch them! Bus stops will become the most unsafe places in the country.

"I mean, it's just crazy to me to think that we should prevent ICE from operating at bus stops. ICE needs to be allowed to operate wherever the job takes them, especially at places where illegal aliens can harm innocent children.

"Look, ICE is not the enemy here. But Democrats are trying to make them the enemy! Just a couple of weeks ago, ICE conducted a 5-day operation in Indiana, which resulted in the arrests of 426 illegals. These criminals include people charged with robberies, drug trafficking, sex crimes, and more. And ICE arrested an illegal from Guatemala who illegally voted in a national election in Indiana. I thought Democrats said that type of thing never happens!

"So here we are again. Instead of giving ICE more resources, not less, instead of doing anything we can to deport illegals from our country, Democrats are here asking for unanimous consent to tie ICE's hands behind their backs.

"I won't let that happen. ICE needs to be allowed to enforce the law wherever it takes them."

###