Matheson Seeks Reimbursement of Criminal Alien Costs

Washington D.C.—Congressman Jim Matheson has signed on to a letter to President Bush asking that he fully fund the program that reimburses state and local law enforcement for the arrest, transportation and incarceration costs associated with criminal aliens.  The State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) is administered by the federal Department of Justice.

Matheson said that while the program is authorized at $950 million, the president’s 2009 budget proposal is not expected to include any money for SCAAP.

“Securing our nation’s borders is the jurisdiction of the federal government,” the letter states. ”Congress has consistently legislated that the federal government must either take illegal immigrants into federal custody or reach an agreement to compensate state and local jurisdictions for their incarceration.”

Matheson notes the Department of Justice figures for 2007 show reimbursement to Washington County of $66,594. The state of Utah was paid $790,000. But most local law enforcement officials say that represents a small percentage of the costs they actually incur.

“Every local public safety dollar spent to deal with criminal aliens is a dollar that cannot be spent on other public safety priorities,” said Matheson. “This is unacceptable.  I urge the President to support me in supporting the dedicated law enforcement officials throughout Utah.”

 

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