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.

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