Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona is trying to extend protection for those brought here illegally as children, while also cracking down on criminals who are undocumented.
The new legislation, called the SAFE Act, “threads the needle” as Flakes put it. The bill would prevent young undocumented immigrants, who are protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, from being deported for another three years.
It contains the same language as a bipartisan bill introduced in the U.S. Senate called the Bridge Act. But unlike that one, Flake’s legislation addresses those who are undocumented and have committed serious crimes, too. It would ensure those people remain in detention while awaiting trial, and, once convicted, are deported in 90 days.
Flake says he believes most Arizonans agree with this approach.
“Deal with those criminal aliens who ought to be deported expeditiously," Flake said, "but also (the bill) deals with a population that the vast majority of Americans believe that ought to be able to stay here and contribute to society.”
Flake is optimistic he can work with President-elect Donald Trump’s administration on the bill.
