Crapo Seeks Increased Compensation to Fight Illegal Alien Crime

CRAPO SEEKS INCREASED COMPENSATION TO FIGHT ILLEGAL ALIEN CRIME

Reimbursement applications start next week for local law enforcement

Local, county, or state efforts to detain and incarcerate undocumented criminal aliens could see an increase in reimbursement from the federal government under a proposal co-sponsored by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. Crapo says the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) should be funded at higher levels to better assist local law enforcement. The program has been offered since 1995 but not always funded to the level authorized in the legislation. The State of Idaho received $604,530 for the program in Fiscal Year 2003 and $699,690 in Fiscal Year 2004.

"This program was established with the belief that protecting the nation's borders from illegal immigration is the responsibility of the federal government and that states and localities should be reimbursed for expenses relating to these duties," Crapo said. "States and counties routinely bear the costs associated with incarcerating undocumented criminal aliens once they enter the criminal justice system. This bill offers funding to help offset those costs."

All 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have requested reimbursement through the SCAAP program. The measure, S. 188, increases authorization for the program to $750 million for Fiscal Year 2005 and increases to $950 million by Fiscal Year 2007. Local and state governments must still apply for reimbursement under the program; the application process for this year opens next Monday, February 7th.

Crapo and a dozen co-sponsors joined Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-California) in seeking the increased authorization figures. The bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee for further action.

http://crapo.senate.gov/