Free Republic

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Gov. Chris Gregoire sent an invoice of nearly $50 million to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales Monday, saying the federal government needs to reimburse the state for the cost of housing criminal illegal immigrants. Gregoire said that even though it's the federal government's responsibility to incarcerate illegal immigrants who have committed crimes, the state has been doing it for years. From July 2004 to June 2005, Gregoire said the state paid more than $27 million to house 995 prisoners. The Department of Justice has only reimbursed the state $1.7 million, and still owes $25.3 million. She's seeking an...