Candidate Ben Cline salutes Immigration and Customs Enforcement with President Trump

Julia Fair | The News Leader

WASHINGTON — The Republican party congressional nominee Del. Ben Cline R-24 joined President Trump at the White House event "A Salute to the Heroes of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs Border Protection" Monday.

Cline attended as the chairman of the committee on militia, police and public safety in the House of Delegates.

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He also attended due to his sponsorship and advocacy for legislation to ban sanctuary cities in Virginia, according to a press release from his campaign.

That legislation was vetoed in 2017 by Gov. McAuliffe and in 2018 by Gov. Northam, the release noted.

"It is critical that our localities be prevented from interfering with the enforcement of our federal immigration laws," Cline said in a statement after the event. "It was a disappointment when Govs. McAuliffe and Northam vetoed those bills, especially considering Gov. Northam promised Virginians he would sign such a bill if it reached his desk."

Cline said he was honored by the White House's invitation to join President Trump at the event.

He added that he understands the critical role that men and women in law enforcement serve when they "protect our borders and keep our communities safe."

"Every day, the men and women of I.C.E. and C.B.P. are on the front lines of the effort to stop illegal immigration in our country and the drug trafficking, child sex trafficking, gang and terrorist activity that accompany it," Cline said in the statement. "In addition, our local law enforcement and public safety officials in Virginia work tirelessly to protect our communities from these criminal elements who are often here illegally"

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Cline's statement also called out the Democratic party, saying it "seems fixated on supporting those who are fighting to abolish ICE."

If elected to Congress, Cline said he will be committed to working with President Trump to build the border wall, end sanctuary cities and strengthen the ability of ICE to enforce laws.

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"It's a matter of public safety and upholding the rule of law — a foundation principle of our system of government," Cline said.

Cline faces Democratic nominee Jennifer Lewis of Waynesboro in the November election.