Friday, May 9, 2008
Voluntary deportations save state thousands in expenses

Phoenix Business Journal - by Mike Sunnucks


Illegal immigrants from Mexico nabbed at drop-house raids or crime sweeps throughout Arizona often get a quick bus trip back across the border, reducing incarceration costs and legal fees.

Those without serious criminal records are offered the option to return voluntarily to Mexico, whether they have just entered the U.S. or have been working in the country for months or years. If they opt to fight deportation, they are detained until a federal court hearing is scheduled, which can take three to 12 months, said Margarita Silva, a partner with Phoenix law firm Navidad Leal & Silva PLC.

The Center for American Progress reports that nationally, it costs an average of $90 a day to detain one illegal immigrant -- more than $3,800 for the average time spent in jail (roughly 43 days).

It costs Arizona $80 million a year to house illegal immigrants in its jails, according to the Federation for American Immigration Reform. Some who are incarcerated face charges more serious than being in the country illegally.

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