Posted on Wed, May. 13, 2009


Obama budget would cut immigration funds


HACKENSACK, N.J. - President Barack Obama's budget would eliminate funding that helps New Jersey counties offset the cost of jailing illegal immigrants for breaking laws.

The Bergen and Passaic county sheriff departments would lose more than $2 million in federal immigration enforcement funding under the plan.

Passaic has received more than $2 million through the program since 2005. Bergen has received at least $6 million since 2007.

Bergen sheriff's spokesman Ben Feldman says the department has used the funds to pay for salaries, jail upgrades and inmate transportation.

A Justice Department spokeswoman says money saved by cutting the program would be shifted to border security.


http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/n ... funds.html