OK- Illegal aliens deported from state prison
Illegal aliens deported from state prison
OKLAHOMA CITY - Nearly two dozen illegal aliens in state prison were turned over to federal authorities for deportation Thursday, continuing a process that could ultimately save taxpayers close to $7 million.
"For too long, Oklahoma's working families have paid the price for the federal government's failure to control our nation's borders," said state Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore. "Now, thanks to the Criminal Illegal Alien Rapid Repatriation Act of 2009, the federal government will have to bear the financial burden created by these criminals who never should have been here in the first place."
A group of 22 inmates, all illegal aliens convicted of crimes in Oklahoma, were transferred from the John Lilley Correctional Center near Boley. Federal officials with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement accepted custody of the group.
House Bill 2245, by Terrill, created the Criminal Illegal Alien Rapid Repatriation Act and allowed the Department of Corrections to send illegal alien inmates to the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation.
"We are pleased to see the operational aspects developed for Representative Terrill's bill to take effect," said Justin Jones, director of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections. "This is a measure that saves public funds without compromising public safety."
The deportation provisions apply only to illegal alien inmates who have not been convicted of major violent crimes (those requiring convicts to serve at least 85 percent of their sentence) and who have served at least one-third of their sentence in state prison.
Prison officials report that 346 of the 541 illegal aliens currently in state prison will ultimately be eligible for deportation under the program, with 181 immediately eligible for deportation.
Since the law gained final legislative approval in May, 32 illegal alien inmates have already been turned over to federal authorities. Today's group, however, was the largest single transfer to date. The state pays about $20,000 per year to house each inmate, meaning the ultimate savings generated by the repatriation program will total about $6.9 million.
"During tough economic times when our prisons have to do more with less, this program allows us to maximize our limited tax dollars," Terrill said. "This program is being considered for duplication across the country and I am proud that Oklahoma was one of the first to enact this common-sense measure."
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