WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two problematic  immigration bills failed Wednesday in the Senate. The bills aimed to punish so-called sanctuary cities and set mandatory minimums for certain immigration offenses.

The Senate fell seven votes short of the 60 votes needed to proceed to debate on S. 3100, a bill sponsored by Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pennsylvania), which would have withheld important federal funding to so-called sanctuary cities.

The bill targeted so-called sanctuary jurisdictions, but its broad sweep would have punished jurisdictions that cooperate with federal authorities but engage in well-established community policing practices or adhere to federal court decisions that have found federal immigration detainers to violate constitutional protections.

The Senate fell five votes short of proceeding with S. 2193, sponsored by Sen. Ted Cruz (R- Texas), which would have established mandatory minimum sentences for certain immigration violators and would have increased existing sentences for a number of immigration violations.

Earlier in the day, 25 Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force police chiefs, sheriffs and community safety personnel signed a letter opposing any sweeping legislation that would undermine community policing and community safety.

“The Senate was right to listen to law enforcement leaders, who are rightfully concerned about legislation that would hurt community policing,” said Cathleen Farrell, communications director at the National Immigration Forum. “We need Congress to move forward on productive, smart immigration reform that helps law enforcement use resources wisely and keep us all safe.

“Let’s not let politicking get in the way of our nation’s safety, liberty or security.”