<p>Illegal immigration is perhaps the most debated topic of the presidential race thus far. Republican presidential hopeful Ted Cruz is trying to make a change by cracking down on sanctuary cities. Unfortunately his most recent attempt to do so was blocked by Senator Harry Reid. ;</p>
<p>Senate Democrats decided yesterday to fight against a bill that would have imposed a minimum federal sentence on illegal immigrants caught crossing the border more than once. ;This decision comes just days after San Francisco Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi AKA the &ldquo;Sanctuary Sheriff&rdquo; lost his bid for re-election to Vicki Hennessey. ;</p>
<p>&ldquo;This ought to be a clear choice: with whom do you stand?&rdquo; asks Senator Cruz. &ldquo;Do you stand with violent criminal illegal aliens, or do you stand with American citizens?&rdquo;Cruz&rsquo;s bill would impose a minimum sentence of 5 years for any illegal immigrant caught crossing back into the country after a previous deportation. ;Democrats predictably whine that sanctuary cities should be able to say no to federal agents when they order deportation.  ;</p>
<p>Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid blocked Ted Cruz&rsquo;s request when he asked to begin debating the bill. According to Reid, Cruz&rsquo;s legislation would require the costly addition of 20,000 new prison beds &ndash; all without evidence that the bill would actually deter would-be illegal immigrants from crossing into the country. ;</p>
<p>House Republicans have managed to pass legislation that withholds federal money from sanctuary cities, but Democratic lawmakers in the Senate have filibustered, preventing progress.  ;</p>
<p>This issue came to a boiling point in July when an innocent woman was shot and killed in San Francisco by a man who was later found to have been deported five times. Even worse, Sheriff Mirkarimi had refused to turn this violent man over to the feds earlier this year. ;Vicki Hennessy, who has since replaced Sheriff Mirkarimi, says she will deal with illegal immigrants and deportation requests on a case-by-case basis. ;</p>