Dever says governor's letter made a 'statement'

Sierra Vista Herald, Sierra Vista Arizona ^ | 02/13/05 | Bill Hess

[SandRat]

BISBEE - A demand letter sent by Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano seeking reimbursement of $118 million state taxpayers have shelled out to incarcerate illegal immigrants and legal resident aliens was a good move, said Cochise County Sheriff Larry Dever.

Although millions are due to the state, based on a federal law that requires the U.S. government to fully reimburse the cost of keeping immigrants in jail who are accused of committing crimes or convicted of felonies, county taxpayers are paying nearly two-thirds of the costs locally, Dever said.

Napolitano sent her letter to new U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales earlier this week stating the federal government must pay the state fully or take the prisoners.

Last week, Napolitano told the Sierra Vista Herald/Bisbee Daily Review the first letter Gonzales would receive from her would be the reimbursement demand.

Dever is concerned about the decrease of federal funding for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program that helps defray some of the costs of incarcerating immigrant criminals, both those in the nation illegally and legally.

President George W Bush has attempted to zero out the special funds for the past two years. Fortunately, Dever said, Congress stopped Bush from doing that.

U.S. Rep. Jim Kolbe, R-Ariz., has introduced a bill to reauthorize SCAAP at $750 million for the next federal budget year, $850 million for the following year and $950 million a year for the following four years.

But if the proposed money is allocated throughout the United States, there will not be enough to pay the full costs Cochise County has for keeping the special type inmates in the county jail.

In the past few years, about a third of the costs have typically been reimbursed, the sheriff said.

According to Jail Commander Ron Hager, just less than 14 percent of the actual costs were reimbursed in the most recent reimbursement that was paid for 2002 and 2003.

During that time, 20,470 bed days were used by illegal immigrants or legal alien residents or those who crossed the border legally, Hager said.

The first day of incarceration costs $101.78. Every day after that the cost is $49.21 a day, he said. The initial cost is for processing and services. The daily cost includes the cost of utilities, food and other items. The cost is higher for those who need medical treatment.

For the 2002 to 2003 time frame, the cost to the county for incarcerating those who weren't U.S. citizens was at least $1,007,329. The county received $139,304 from the federal SCAAP fund.

Dever said the highest amount of SCAAP money the county received was about $300,000, which was 30 percent of the actual costs.

As of Thursday, there were 224 inmates in the county jail, of which 30 were Mexican nationals, Hager said.

Dever said 326 Mexican nationals were in the jail for various lengths of time in 2004.

What upsets the sheriff is that the president is determined to eliminate programs that he considers not providing any kind of return.

"To the president, this program as no value," the sheriff said.

But, Dever said, it is forgotten that the federal government has been and continues to be remiss in fulfilling its obligation, which is why SCAAP should go on and full reimbursement made.

As for the governor's letter to Gonzales, "she's making a statement," Dever said.

Whether the federal government will heed the statement is unknown, he said.

The county faces an overcrowded jail. With Mexican nationals facing prosecution, there is no room for them, the sheriff said.

"The inn (the jail) is full and overflowing," Dever said.

For the safety of the local community, those who break laws, especially those from other countries, have to be placed in the jail.

U.S. citizens can be bonded out, but it is more difficult to do the same for citizens from other countries, he said.

While there is a reimbursement program for law enforcement actions, the same is not true when it comes prosecuting nationals of other countries in the county.

"There is no mechanism for reimbursement," Cochise County Attorney Ed Rheinheimer said.

Cases such as drugs, stolen vehicles and firearm incidents those prosecution cases involving U.S. citizens and legal and illegal immigrants receive some federal reimbursement.

According to information provided by Rheinhemier's office, it costs $5,000 and more per case for prosecuting and defending citizens from other countries.

The duration of the special federal programs is unknown, he said.

Tracking which cases involve citizens from other nations also needs to be fine-tuned so the actual numbers are known to seek funds from other federal programs, Rheinheimer said.

There currently are 32 county cases involving citizens from other countries that are pending, he added.

[usurper]

I notice these liberal type governors never ask for more enforcement, just more money.

I had a dog and his name was “BINGO”

[StarFan]

Ping.

[HungarianGypsy]

I would prefer it were coming from a better source. Napolitano is talking out both sides of her mouth. She kisses up to President Fox of Mexico, says she would support illegal driver's licenses, supports groups that help illegals, and tries to block any attempt Arizona citizens make to discourage illegals. Then she turns around and says the federal government needs to pay for the problem?