Special to the Valley News

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009.
Issue 17, Volume 9.


RIVERSIDE - A bill by Sen. John J. Benoit, R-Bermuda Dunes, to

bill the federal government for the cost of keeping illegal immigrant convicts in California prisons was rejected today by a state Senate committee.

Senate Bill 125 would require the state to demand full payment each year from the U.S. Attorney General for expenses tied to incarcerating illegal immigrants.

The Senate Public Safety Committee today voted 3-3 on the bill, which could be reconsidered before the legislative session ends.

"My bill has gained positive momentum, as each senator who spoke today expressed concern that California continues to be shortchanged by the federal government in this area,'' Benoit said. ``I intend to work across the aisle to secure the fourth vote needed and continue pressing the case for our full share.''

Approximately 15 percent of the state's prison population is comprised of illegal immigrants, numbering 25,728 in 2008, according to Benoit's office.

Under the federal State Criminal Alien Assistance Program, California receives roughly 12 percent reimbursement for the total cost of incarcerating illegal immigrants, which this fiscal year will top out at $900 million, Benoit's office estimated.

Benoit's proposal would require the head of the California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation to annually bill the federal government for the full cost of imprisoning illegal immigrants, no matter what they were convicted for.

SB 125 would also support the California Attorney General using "all available legal resources to obtain compliance with payment of the written bill.''

"At a time when all Californians are seeing their taxes increased, it is crucial that we vigorously pursue the hundreds of millions of dollars that are owed to us,'' Benoit said.

Benoit submitted a similar bill last year when he was an assemblyman, but it died in committee.


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