Sen. Cornyn Supports Expanded Reimbursements for Incarceration of Criminal Illegal Immigrants

Texas senator teams with Dianne Feinstein to increase aid funding.

WASHINGTON, DC Jan. 8, 2009 -— U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee’s Immigration, Border Security and Refugees subcommittee, today announced he will once again cosponsor legislation to expand the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) to reimburse Texas communities for the cost of incarcerating criminal illegal immigrants.

Sen. Cornyn was an original cosponsor of this legislation in the 110th Congress. U.S. Sen. Diane Feinstein, D-CA, reintroduced the legislation, S. 168, today.

As it stands, SCAAP reimburses $24 million to Texas every year, but through this legislation, Sen. Cornyn is pushing for the expansion of this program to provide additional reimbursement to Texas communities who struggle to afford the costs associated with criminal illegal aliens in their cities.

“Our federal immigration system is deeply flawed and partisanship in Congress has prevented real reform. Even so, our law enforcement and border patrol personnel in Texas work tirelessly each day to enforce the rule of law and keep our neighborhoods safe. Local entities should not be forced to shoulder the financial burden associated with incarcerating and prosecuting criminal illegal immigrants. I’m please to lend my full support again to this important legislation to significantly expand SCAAP reimbursements for Texas communities who are doing their part to keep our state safe and secure,” Sen. Cornyn said.

“While this legislation is a much-needed step, we are still a far cry from addressing immigration reform in a comprehensive manner. With a new Congress and new leadership in the White House, I’m hopeful we can work together to tackle immigration reform as soon as possible. Further inaction is unacceptable and jeopardizes our national security.”

--- BYLINE