County Gets $2.2 Million for Immigrant Jail Costs

Updated: Thursday, 01 Dec 2011, 4:50 AM MST
Published : Thursday, 01 Dec 2011, 4:50 AM MST

PHOENIX (AP) — Officials in Maricopa County accepted $2.2 million in reimbursement from the federal government for the costs of jailing illegal immigrants convicted of a felony or two misdemeanors in violations of state or local laws.

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors agreed to accept the money on Wednesday.

The reimbursement covers the fiscal year that ended on Sept. 30.

Officials in Arizona have long complained that the federal government is in charge of policing the porous southern border yet pays only a portion of the costs for jailing such immigrants.

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