Thread: CA-Jails, prisons in Bay Area loath to lose $$ for aliens

Jails, prisons in Bay Area loath to lose $$ for aliens

Vallejo Times Herald (California)
May 21, 2009 Thursday
By Matt O'Brien/ MediaNews Group

REDWOOD CITY -- A federal program that reimbursed Bay Area jails more than $8 million last year for incarcerating illegal immigrants is on President Barack Obama's chopping block.

For the Obama administration, the $400 million State Criminal Alien Assistance Program represents money better spent elsewhere. But California jails and prisons receive more than a third of the money, and the officials who run them want it back in the budget.

In applications to be reimbursed by the U.S. Department of Justice, the Bay Area's nine county sheriffs reported their jails last year held 9,200 suspected illegal immigrants who had committed at least one crime and spent at least four nights in local custody.

The actual number was less than that. Officials with Immigration and Customs Enforcement who evaluated the reports could confirm that only about 3,000 of those inmates were eligible for reimbursement, meaning they were definitely illegal immigrants. However, 1,700 others were definitely not.

Based on the numbers, Bay Area counties earned a total of $8.1 million last year and $71 million since 2000. The role of the 15-year-old program is to offset the costs of housing inmates who have committed local crimes but are considered the federal government's responsibility.

The amount of money received locally has fluctuated over the years -- $11 million, for instance, was given to Bay Area governments in 2002, and just over $5 million was collected in 2003.

The money also arrives with few strings attached. Some counties use it to pay jail employees and others for one-time purchases or construction.

Calling it an ineffective tool in combating crime, the Bush administration tried several times to eliminate the program, but Congress fought back each time, ensuring that it remained in the federal budget. Now, as part of $17 billion in proposed budget cuts, Obama also wants to get rid of it.

Melissa Schwartz, spokeswoman for the Justice Department, said the reimbursements do not directly stop crime or illegal immigration, so the government is putting its resources elsewhere. Other federal officials say the administration is looking to expand a program that would eventually have every local jail in the country automatically checking the immigration status of incoming inmates by 2012.

Last year, California's state Department of Corrections earned $118 million from the program, the biggest reimbursement in the country.

That does not include the amount awarded to the state's 58 counties -- Los Angeles alone received $14 million last year.

In the Bay Area, the biggest amount, $1.77 million, went to San Mateo County's jail in Redwood City. Munks, the sheriff, said he was not sure why his county beat out neighbors with bigger populations and busier, higher-capacity jails. Alameda County, for instance, earned just $412,000 last year.

Some counties have found the process so complicated that they have someone else do their applications for them. Sonoma County turns its inmate records over to Texas-based Justice Benefits Inc., then gives the consultant 22 percent of everything it earns over $100,000.

"It's a lot of research that goes into it and it's more effective for us to use a consultant," said Michael Medvedoff, administrative services director for the Solano County sheriff. "They're very thorough."

http://www6.lexisnexis.com/publisher/En ... 55&start=1

So ALL of America should have to pay for Cali's Sanctuary Policies? I, for one, hope Mexifornias budget crisis gets so bad that it is finally FORCED to address the costs of Illegal Immigration and END the insanity.

NY is going to be in the same boat shortly enough.

What a stupid country we have become....

WorriedAmerican wrote:

What a stupid country we have become....

Why? Is it because sanctuary states and cities will no longer be able to rely on the rest of the nation to pay for a self created illegal alien problem. Our federal government may have let them in but it's our states and cities that are allowing them to thrive in the communities. Federal funding wouldn't be necessary if the states and cities imposed tougher laws and ordinances to deal with their illegal alien problem. Personally, I don't think the burden should rest solely on the federal governments shoulders. I think the governors, state legislators, and city councils also have a responsibility to protect their citizens. This is a national problem that requires a nationwide solution. In other words, we all need to work together (federal, state, county, and local).

Like Ratbstard said, let's start FORCING some hands on this issue.

Originally Posted by MW

WorriedAmerican wrote:

What a stupid country we have become....

Why? Is it because sanctuary states and cities will no longer be able to rely on the rest of the nation to pay for a self created illegal alien problem. Our federal government may have let them in but it's our states and cities that are allowing them to thrive in the communities. Federal funding wouldn't be necessary if the states and cities imposed tougher laws and ordinances to deal with their illegal alien problem. Personally, I don't think the burden should rest solely on the federal governments shoulders. I think the governors, state legislators, and city councils also have a responsibility to protect their citizens. This is a national problem that requires a nationwide solution. In other words, we all need to work together (federal, state, county, and local).

Like Ratbstard said, let's start FORCING some hands on this issue.

I'm just sick and tired of all the lies and the ignorant people who reside here.
Not to mention the ones dumber than a rock that they import or let import themselves here.
NO FEDERAL MONEY should go to any Sanctuary states or cities!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!