WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., is continuing his longstanding effort to protect communities from violent criminals who are in the United States illegally.

On Thursday, Toomey re-introduced the Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act, which would put an end to dangerous sanctuary city policies that forbid local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities, even when they wish to do so.

“It is past time to put an end to dangerous sanctuary city policies,” said Toomey. “These policies — like the ones in Philadelphia and San Francisco — make it harder to stop illegal immigration and keep dangerous criminals off the streets. Sanctuary cities extend a special protection to illegal immigrants even when federal immigration officials identity them as a threat to public safety. This is simply inexcusable, and I urge my colleagues to help pass this commonsense measure.”

Joining Toomey in introducing the bill were Sens. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and John Kennedy, R-La.

“Sanctuary cities keep criminal aliens on our streets, and we will no longer tolerate their willful defiance of our nation’s laws,”said Cotton. “Public safety must come first. If you’re not following the law, you shouldn’t get taxpayer dollars, period.”

Kennedy had similar comments.

“Sanctuary cities like San Francisco, Seattle and New York happily accept federal money, but they are just as eager to ignore our nation’s immigration laws,” said Kennedy. “These liberal cities actively impede federal immigration enforcement efforts, which only encourages more illegal immigration. I’m a proud co-sponsor of the Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act because it sends a clear message to these cities that if they choose to ignore the rule of law, they don’t deserve hard-earned taxpayer dollars.”

Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Tom McClintock, R-Calif.