Thread: NY: Undoc immigrants on probation cost Suffolk County $350G

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/suffo ... 1005.story

Undocumented immigrants on probation cost Suffolk $350G
BY REID J. EPSTEIN | reid.epstein@newsday.com
12:33 PM EST, February 28, 2008

Suffolk County's probation department supervises between 200 and 225 undocumented immigrants who have completed their jail sentences but are not being deported, Probation Director John Desmond said Thursday.

Speaking before the Suffolk Legislature's Public Safety Committee, Desmond said the county is working "closer than ever before" with federal immigration authorities to deport undocumented immigrants who commit crimes, but said Immigrations and Customs Enforcement does not have the resources to handle more than 5 to 10 percent of the county's "criminal aliens."

The county's annual tab for monitoring the undocumented immigrants on probation is between $350,000 and $375,000, Desmond said.

It costs the county $3.50 per day to monitor a typical offender on probation, $7.72 per day to monitor an offender who has DWI convictions and $9.19 per day to monitor a sex offender on probation, Desmond said.

Thirty-six of the undocumented immigrants in the probation system are sex offenders, Desmond said.

Legislators reacted with outrage at hearing the county's probation is monitoring undocumented immigrants.

"This is absolute lunacy," Minority Leader Daniel Losquadro (R-Shoreham) said. "This is the most counterintuitive, insane thing I have ever heard." Legis. Kate Browning (WF-Shirley) added: "Our justice system stinks."

And Legis. Lynne Nowick (R-St. James) said the county should not wait to try to deport undocumented immigrants after they are released from jail, but should do so immediately upon sentencing.

"If we can deport people for lesser crimes, why pay for three square meals a day when we don't have to," she said.

Desmond also revealed a working group he launched in December to deal with issues presented by undocumented immigrants.

Answering a question from Legis. Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches), Desmond said it was "not my intent" for the working group to assist the offenders in finding housing and jobs, but said probation officers "have a great deal of experience" in those fields.

Losquadro said the working group should focus on deporting the offenders.

"The only focus of that committee should be how do we get them into the hands of immigration the day of their release," he said.

Since taking office in 2004, County Executive Steve Levy has turned a countywide crackdown on illegal immigration a signature political issue. Indeed the Suffolk probation department has a closer working relationship with federal immigration officials now than it ever did before, Desmond said.

Presiding Office William Lindsay (D-Holbrook) suggested legislators and Levy co-sign a letter to federal officials expressing their frustration. He said the federal government should reimburse the county for money its spends to jail and monitor undocumented immigrants in the local justice system.

"I think it's a good idea that we should put together a letter," Legis. Wayne Horsley (D-Lindenhurst) said. "Then after that maybe we should look toward a lawsuit."

Desmond also said the county is currently unable to definitively track the number of undocumented immigrants in the probation system, though he estimated the 200-225 figure based on a statistical sample of the 966 offenders in the system whose immigration status is questionable.

Officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which this week closed its New York public affairs office, could not immediately be reached for comment.

There should be a state and corresponding federal law that denies any convicted illegal alien probation and instead, requires immediate deportation upon completion of incarceration. No probation or parole for illegal aliens, period. The local and state authorities should also be able to bill and receive compensation for the costs of incarceration and such from the governments of these illegal aliens...boy that would stop them from issuing matriculas and encouraging them to continue to stay.

Originally Posted by legalatina

There should be a state and corresponding federal law that denies any convicted illegal alien probation and instead, requires immediate deportation upon completion of incarceration. No probation or parole for illegal aliens, period. The local and state authorities should also be able to bill and receive compensation for the costs of incarceration and such from the governments of these illegal aliens...boy that would stop them from issuing matriculas and encouraging them to continue to stay.

I feel that if the State or town does not enforce the laws on the books concerning illegal immigrants and makes up laws to aide the illegals or gives them rights to freebies, then they should NOT be reimbursed. They are part of the problem. Everyone needs to stop hiring them and giving their anchor-babies right. etc.....

worried american: Yes, good point. Sanctuary cities shouldn't receive reimbursement or compensation, but those that are not should and should be able to demand it from all those responsible.