REP. DREIER BIPARTISAN AMENDMENT TO INCREASE STATE CRIMINAL ALIEN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FUNDING APPROVED

US Fed News
September 2, 2009 Wednesday

WASHINGTON, June 17 -- Rep. David T. Dreier, R-Calif. (26th CD), issued the following news release:

An amendment co-authored by Congressman David Dreier (R-San Dimas, CA) to increase funding for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) by $100 million has been approved with unanimous support.

The amendment was considered during the debate of H.R. 2847, the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2010.

"California shoulders a disproportionate burden of the nationwide cost of illegal immigration," Dreier said. "Securing our borders is the responsibility of the federal government.

At a time when our state and local authorities are feeling the financial crunch, it is absolutely necessary that we increase funding for this important program to help them deal with the costs of jailing criminal illegal aliens."

SCAAP reimburses states and localities for the costs of incarcerating criminal illegal aliens. Since the inception of the program, California has received over $2.5 billion in SCAAP funds, representing 42 percent of nationwide SCAAP awards.

The amendment, co-authored by a number of California Members including Jerry Lewis, Ken Calvert, Gary Miller, Adam Schiff, Mike Honda, Dennis Cardoza and Linda Sanchez, increases funding for SCAAP by $100 million, bringing the total to $400 million.

For more information please contact: Sarabjit Jagirdar, Email:- htsyndication@hindustantimes.com

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