Select an option below to continue reading this premium story.
Already a Honolulu Star-Advertiser subscriber? Log in now to continue reading.
Senate Bill 557, if passed, would make the state of Hawaii a sanctuary state.
It would prohibit state and county law enforcement agencies from complying with federal immigration officials requests on illegal immigrants. Deportation actions are a federal government function; the state cannot deport anyone.
If SB 557 is passed, illegal criminal immigrants arriving in Hawaii can be protected from deportation because SB 557 prevents our state and county law enforcement from turning over these individuals to the federal authorities for deportation.
Hawaii will become a haven for illegal criminal immigrants and our safety is at risk. Immigration laws are federal laws. There are several lawsuits against the state of California and counties that are sanctuary areas. At risk is federal funding for Hawaii because we would be protecting illegal immigrants. Call your senator to oppose SB 557.
Peter Lee
Nuuanu
Click here to read more Letters to the Editor.