Donnelly, Huff: Feds Should Reimburse Cost of Housing Illegal Felons

Assemblyman Tim Donnelly (R-Twin Peaks) has introduced Assembly Joint Resolution 38, co-authored by Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff (R-Diamond Bar), that urges Congress and the President to reimburse California the money it spends imprisoning undocumented felons.

Donnelly, who currently represents Monrovia in the 59th District, introduced the resolution today, according to a news release from his office.

California currently houses nearly 16,250 people who admit to being in the country illegally, according to the news release. At $56,000 per inmate, per year, criminal aliens cost the State more $900 million each year.

Donnelly blamed the added inmate population and increased costs to over-crowding of California's prisons.

"The Federal Government has refused to fund the State Criminal Alien Assistance program. Last year, 11 cents on the dollar was reimbursed,” Donnelly is quoted in the news release. “This year, we have received a measly dime back for every dollar we spent. Every cent spent on housing illegal immigrants cannot go into our classrooms or to paving our roads.”

“Overcrowding and a lack of funds to properly deal with the problem are making our streets less safe,” added Donnelly. “The Federal Government’s failure to pay what is due to the states is a major contributing factor to California’s public safety concerns. We are calling on the federal Government to do the right thing, not give us pennies on the dollar to pay for illegals that Congress and the President let through the border."