House Passes 2 Strict Immigration Bills

The House on Thursday voted to crack down on undocumented immigrants and "sanctuary cities" that shelter them, approving two bills President Trump has championed but that are certain to meet resistance in the Senate.

The legislation from the Republican-controlled House would increase prison sentences for those re-entering the country illegally and pressure so-called sanctuary cities to comply with federal immigration officials, including through cutting federal funds, reports the New York Times .

While the measures gave the president a modest, if predictable, win, they would need Democratic support to clear the Senate’s 60-vote threshold, an unlikely prospect.

John F. Kelly, the secretary of homeland security, made an unusual appearance at the Capitol to praise the bills. He criticized sanctuary cities by saying they prioritize "criminals over public and law enforcement officer safety."