http://www.kten.com/Global/story.asp?S=5901639

Government won't pay all of immigrant jail costs

Jan 6, 2007

OKLAHOMA CITY Oklahoma County will collect more than 622-thousand dollars from the federal government for holding 561 prisoners for the U.S. Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement last year.

But hundreds of other immigrants entered the county jail on state or local criminal charges last year, leaving the county with primary responsibility.

Oklahoma cities and counties with large numbers of illegal immigrants disagree with the division of responsibility for their incarceration.

They say the government allows illegal immigration and should pay the cost of incarcerating criminals who entered the country illegally.

K-C Moon of the Oklahoma Criminal Justice Resource Center says the Justice Department thinks incarcerating lawbreakers is a local responsibility.