[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 54 (Tuesday, March 28, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2050-S2051]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. FLAKE (for himself and Mr. McCain):
  S. 745. A bill to reauthorize the State Criminal Alien Assistance 
Program, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mr. FLAKE. Mr. President, border security is one of the Federal 
Government's most important responsibilities, and the Federal 
Government has no better partners than local law enforcement agencies 
from border communities like those in my home State of Arizona. These 
officers and deputies serve on the front lines. They provide critical 
assistance to the missions of Federal agencies.
  Unfortunately, these efforts are expensive and the locals end up 
picking up most of the tab. For example, local law enforcement agencies 
hold those facing immigration violations at county-operated jails, and 
they provide medical care for the undocumented inmates while they are 
in custody. In providing these services, Arizona's counties have 
incurred more than $310 million in costs associated with criminal 
undocumented immigrants since 2009. That is $310 million since 2009.
  Despite these enormous costs, the Federal Government has left many 
local jurisdictions to shoulder the burdens of illegal immigration on 
their own. This is particularly frustrating when so many of our local 
law enforcement agencies are already struggling to carry out basic 
duties on overstretched budgets.
  I hope we can all look forward to a time when we have the appropriate 
resources for securing the border, the means for those seeking to fill 
the needs of our economy to enter the country legally, a remedy for 
those who are here already illegally, and also a way for employers to 
ensure that those whom they hire are legally present.
  These critical steps toward solving our immigration problems will 
require Congress to act. However, in the meantime, we can't continue to 
allow the Federal Government to pass off immigration responsibilities 
onto cash-strapped local agencies.
  That is why I wish today to introduce a bill to reauthorize and 
reform the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program, better known as 
SCAAP. This bill is cosponsored by my friend and colleague, John 
McCain, and is supported by the Arizona Sheriffs Association.
  SCAAP is a Federal program that reimburses State, local, and Tribal 
law enforcement for the costs associated with incarcerating and caring 
for criminal undocumented immigrants while in custody.
  To ensure that local law enforcement receives sufficient 
reimbursement under SCAAP, my bill would make some commonsense reforms 
under the program. The bill would amend the Immigration and Nationality 
Act to reauthorize SCAAP through fiscal year 2021. Reauthorizing this 
program will provide local law enforcement agencies in Arizona and 
across the country with the certainty that any costs incurred from 
incarcerating criminal immigrants will be covered by Federal 
reimbursements.
  Our State, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies are committed 
to partnering with the Federal Government on immigration enforcement. 
But that partnership can't succeed unless the Federal Government 
provides the necessary reimbursements for those services.
  As Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels said:

       Arizona's counties continue to struggle under the fiscal 
     strain of anemic growth in rural areas and cost-shifts from 
     the State of Arizona. Housing criminal aliens without federal 
     assistance diverts needed resources away from our 
     communities' public safety priorities.

  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that this letter from the 
Arizona Sheriffs Association in support of my bill to reauthorize SCAAP 
be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                 Arizona Sheriffs Association,

                                                   March 15, 2017.
     Re State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) 
         Reauthorization.

     Hon. Jeff Flake,
     U.S. Senator, Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Flake: On behalf of a majority of the Arizona 
     Sheriffs Association, I would like to express support for 
     Congress's proposed reauthorization of the State Criminal 
     Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP).
       County sheriffs maintain the shared responsibility of 
     enforcing Arizona's criminal laws. We also serve as the 
     keeper of Arizona's county jails, including paying for the 
     cost of medical care for inmates. While the federal 
     government continues to address the problem of illegal 
     immigration, Arizona's jails incarcerate undocumented 
     immigrants who have committed state and local violations, 
     incurring significant costs in custody and care of these 
     inmates, including medical costs. SCAAP provides critical 
     dollars to Arizona's counties that help pay for the cost of 
     housing and caring for these inmates while they are in our 
     custody.
       Arizona's counties continue to struggle under the fiscal 
     strain of anemic growth in rural areas and cost-shifts from 
     the State of Arizona. Housing criminal aliens without federal 
     assistance diverts needed resources away from our 
     communities' public safety priorities. We understand that 
     federal dollars cannot fully supplant state costs for these

[[Page S2051]]

     inmates. However, any financial assistance the federal 
     government can appropriate to help pay for the costs of 
     caring for these inmates will allow Arizona's sheriffs to 
     concentrate on other important priorities, such as drug 
     interdiction and search and rescue.
       Since 2009, Arizona's counties have absorbed more than $310 
     million in costs. A SCAAP reauthorization that includes 
     reimbursement for medical costs would provide vital financial 
     resources to Arizona's sheriffs, allowing us to better serve 
     the public safety needs of our counties.
       That's why on behalf of Arizona's county sheriffs, I write 
     to express support for the reauthorization of the State 
     Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP). We encourage 
     Congress to pass the measure and for President Trump to sign 
     it if it reaches his desk.
           Sincerely,

                                                 Mark Dannels,

                                           Cochise County Sheriff,
                          President, Arizona Sheriffs Association.

  Mr. FLAKE. Mr. President, the SCAAP program is the foundation of the 
immigration partnership between local law enforcement and the Federal 
Government for keeping our communities safe. I urge all of my 
colleagues to support this legislation to reauthorize and reform the 
SCAAP program.

                          ____________________