Thread: Arizona wants payment for jailed undocumented immigrants

Arizona wants payment for jailed undocumented immigrants

Last Update: 9:35 am


PHOENIX -- State Treasurer Dean Martin says he's updating and resubmitting to the federal government bills for jailing illegal immigrants that former Gov. Janet Napolitano long pursued.

Martin said at a press conference on Wednesday that Arizona is now owed more than $1 billion under terms of a federal law that compensates states for the costs of imprisoning criminal illegal immigrants.

Napolitano pushed the issue yearly as governor, but never was able to get the federal government to fully pay up. Martin says he's hoping the former governor helps push the issue now that she's Homeland Security secretary in the Obama administration.

The State Criminal Alien Assistance Program is administered by the U.S. Justice Department.

Martin, a Republican, is considered a possible candidate for governor this year.

http://www.abc15.com/content/financials ... chcBQ.cspx

News flash! Martin agrees with Napolitano

After years of very public disagreement, state Treasurer Dean Martin says he's found common ground with former Gov. Janet Napolitano.

Taking a page from her playbook, Martin is sending a bill for the state's uncompensated prison costs to the federal government, care of Napolitano, now U.S. Homeland Security Secretary. The tab, with interest, comes to $1 billion, and that's money the state could use, Martin said at a news conference.

Napolitano did the same thing when she was governor, although her invoices went to the U.S. Attorney's Office, since that office oversees the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program. Martin also copied the attorney's office on his bill.

Most of Napolitano's bills went unpaid -- state records showed Arizona received about $46 million during her tenure. But Martin said he figures with Napolitano now in DC, the state has an "ally" that will help the money flow. If not, he said, he will sue.

The treasurer, who is eying a bid for governor, said he didn't consult with Gov. Jan Brewer before sending off the bill. And he said he disagrees with Brewer's recent push to release illegal immigrants being held in state prisons back to federal authorities when they are within 90 days of their scheduled release date -- something that state policy currently allows.

"I don't think we should do any release for anyone who has committed a crime," Martin said.


http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/P ... ider/70888