Burning Atlanta

It still has to go thru the Senate and be signed but this is very good news, depending on how much of the costs are paid to the jails. Here's the drill, illegals that commit additional crimes get run thru the judicial system. If it's a "Don't ask/Don't tell" jurisdiction then the illegal  might be bailed out and flee, or pay their fines and be back on the streets. In areas that do determine immigration status then they may be deported no matter the outcome of their local case.

Plenty of police departments have a , "We've got enough problems and we get screwed on the cost of locking them up because we're not compensated" attitude. Hence, they show a lot of discretion towards NOT looking into their immigration status. "That's a federal matter" (cough.) Other departments are getting on the 287 program because they want to get the criminals out of their communities and into federal custody ASAP. The good part of this legislation is helping the states out on the money end. Hence, more of an incentive for jails and police departments to get involved.

Bust them, no excuses

By a voice vote this week, the U.S. House sought to level the impact of compliance with regard to incarceration of illegal immigrants. House Resolution 1512 allows the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program to award grants to states for the cost of jailing illegal immigrants who are charged with one felony or more than one misdemeanor.

Currently, states are only reimbursed for the cost of imprisonment if there is a conviction.

The complex issue of immigration can use this clarifying legislation. People who come to our country illegally and commit crimes present a challenge to local law enforcement before they go to trial.

According to U.S. Rep. Mike Castle, these individuals are often held in jails and prisons at the expense of local taxpayers. In Delaware, that costs more than $200,000 annually.