DES MOINES— In an editorial board interview with the Sioux City Journal, Patty Judge was asked about her position on sanctuary city policies and admitted she was “really not clear…what a sanctuary city is.” Asked about Sarah’s Law, pending legislation named after Iowan Sarah Root who was killed by an illegal immigrant drunk driver, she again pleaded ignorance and claimed she was not familiar with the bill.

“Patty Judge’s stunning lack of basic knowledge about critically important issues furthers proves how unqualified she is to represent Iowa in the United States Senate,” said Grassley campaign manager Bob Haus. “Sanctuary city policies undermine the rule of law and provide safe haven to dangerous criminals, and Judge’s total lack of understanding about this ongoing problem is deeply troubling for someone running for federal office. At a bare minimum, Iowa deserves elected officials that are at least aware of the problems we face as a state and as a nation, not someone who is so unprepared to serve that she has to be schooled about the job.”

Sarah’s Law was introduced by Iowa’s United States Senators Grassley and Ernst in honor of Iowan Sarah Root who was killed by an illegal immigrant drunk driver earlier this year. The law would require federal immigration authorities to take custody of individuals in the country illegally who are charged with a crime that resulted in the death or serious injury of another person.

SCJ: “How about sanctuary cities? That gets a lot of discussion and there’s been talk about denying federal aid, for example, to cities that have – through policies of their own local laws become sanctuary cities, which in effect means they don’t have to talk to or cooperate with federal immigration officials. Would you support denying aid to sanctuary cities?”

PJ: “Well, you know I am really not clear in my mind what a sanctuary city is and I guess there are cities that – ”

SCJ: “San Francisco is one.”

PJ: “And why do they qualify – what do they do that makes them a sanctuary city? I’ve actually asked my staff the same – ”

SCJ: “It’s usually through a policy or through a law they pass that they do not and will not – it limits the extent to which they must cooperate with federal immigration officials. For whatever reason they feel it’s beneficial for them to not cooperate – they think perhaps that fosters better relationships with that population within their jurisdiction. That makes it very difficult then – and things like the Steinle case in San Francisco happened and the woman was murdered. The undocumented alien had been released from custody multiple times and ended up murdering someone. Immigration didn’t know they had released the person. They were not consulted. San Francisco has a sanctuary policy or law in place that they were not required to do that.”

PJ: “I guess part of that that I really don’t understand is how they have the authority to not cooperate?”

SCJ: “Good question.”

PJ: “Yeah, I don’t understand that.” …

SCJ: “Are you familiar with Sarah’s Law?”

PJ: “No, I’m sorry I am not.”

SCJ: “Sarah Root, the Iowa college student who was killed in Omaha earlier this year?”

PJ: “Oh yes, now refresh – I do remember this.”

SCJ: “Again undocumented, released from custody. There’s a bill that’s been proposed in Congress to a – it would essentially require if there was a death or serious injury to someone caused by an undocumented individual that that federal immigration authorities would be required to be notified and they would take custody of that individual If a serious injury or a death resulted. But if you are not familiar with it, it’s probably not fair to put you on the spot and ask you if you would support that legislation?”

PJ: “Well it’s certainly something I would look at.”

SCJ: “The four of the – several of the sponsors were Senator Grassley and Senator Ernst and Congressman King because the case involves a Iowa woman. A 21-year-old college student who was killed and so they have gotten behind that legislation. I was going to ask you if you supported that legislation, but again, if you are not familiar with that legislation then perhaps that isn’t a fair question. I would encourage you to – ”

PJ: “I will look at it. I will look at it.”