“My bill would ensure a steady stream of federal funding to reimburse our law enforcement for keeping criminals off our streets.”
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – South Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) introduced the "Detain Illegals Until Repatriated or Expelled (DIRE) Act" last week, which would reauthorize the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP).
SCAAP provides federal payments to reimburse states and localities for costs related to incarcerating undocumented criminal aliens with at least one felony or two misdemeanor convictions.
“One criminal alien running loose in our communities is one too many, and yet – this year alone – 1,000s have crossed our border illegally. Though our State & Local Law Enforcement work hard to arrest these bad actors, they often get stuck with the bill for jailing them."Why should our sheriffs have to pay out of pocket for doing their jobs right?” asked Congressman Gonzales.
“My bill would ensure a steady stream of federal funding to reimburse our law enforcement for keeping criminals off our streets.”
Sheriff Brian Hawthorne of Chambers County, who serves as Legislative Chair of the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas said:
“Over the last twelve and half years, more than 299,000 illegal aliens have been booked into our Texas county jails, charged with more than 513,000 state criminal offenses – including murder, sexual assault, and robbery. Many of these criminal aliens remain in our jails for weeks or months unable to secure bond due to their immigration status as they await formal legal proceedings.
“Over the last twelve and half years, more than 299,000 illegal aliens have been booked into our Texas county jails, charged with more than 513,000 state criminal offenses – including murder, sexual assault, and robbery. Many of these criminal aliens remain in our jails for weeks or months unable to secure bond due to their immigration status as they await formal legal proceedings.
"More than 187,000 convictions have resulted from those charges.
"An unsecure border has many costs and this one, the housing of illegal aliens who commit state crimes, directly costs our local taxpayers," said Hawthorne.
"The Sheriffs’ Association of Texas fully supports Congressman Gonzales’ efforts to ensure the SCAAP reimbursement program is funded and effective,”
"An unsecure border has many costs and this one, the housing of illegal aliens who commit state crimes, directly costs our local taxpayers," said Hawthorne.
"The Sheriffs’ Association of Texas fully supports Congressman Gonzales’ efforts to ensure the SCAAP reimbursement program is funded and effective,”
Added Collin County Sheriff Jim Skinner, who serves as Chair of the Government Affairs Committee at the National Sheriffs’ Association:
“Congressman Gonzales' bill to reauthorize the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program is a crucial step towards ensuring that our communities receive the necessary support to detain convicted criminal aliens.
"By providing federal funds to offset the financial burden on state and local governments, including county jails, we uphold our commitment to public safety while easing the strain on vital resources,” Skinner said.
"By providing federal funds to offset the financial burden on state and local governments, including county jails, we uphold our commitment to public safety while easing the strain on vital resources,” Skinner said.
