California State Association of Counties Applauds Funding Increase
Aug 1, 2007, News Report


In a victory for California's counties, the U.S. House of Representatives approved an amendment offered by three California Representatives that adds $55 million to the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP).

Under the House bill approved last week, total funding for SCAAP would rise to $460 million in fiscal year 2008. The Congressional members behind the amendment are Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Linda Sanchez (D-CA) and David Dreier (R-CA).

"We applaud the extensive efforts of our California delegates who championed this important cause for California counties," said Paul McIntosh, CSAC Executive Director. "CSAC takes pride in having been at the forefront of working with all three of these Representatives on this amendment."

The SCAAP program, first authorized by the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1990 and amended by the 1994 Crime Act, partially reimburses states and localities for the costs of incarcerating undocumented criminals.

More specifically, the program provides federal assistance to states and local agencies to: offset the costs incurred for the imprisonment of undocumented criminals who are convicted of felony offenses or two or more misdemeanors; better identify undocumented offenders; and expedite the process of transferring illegal criminals from state and local correctional facilities to federal custody in preparation for deportation.

"California counties rely on these funds to offset the costs of incarcerating undocumented criminals," McIntosh said. "After several years of Congress short-changing this program, we are more than thrilled to see such a significant increase of funding."

California receives approximately 25 percent of the total funding for this program. For example, in fiscal year 2005, the state of California received nearly $86 million in SCAAP funding, with an additional $35 million allotted to the state's counties.

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