Speech #1090170024

Simultaneously. Mexican workers migrate to the agricultural areas around Lancaster. creating a southern link to criminal networks. The urban core is therefore transient. poor. nonEnglish speaking and often undocumented . . . In this fertile environment. the Latin Kings. Bloods. NETA. and lately. MS13. are recruiting or fighting with local gangs for control of the drug markets. Violence is a daily byproduct." My amendment provides relief for cities. counties. and States dealing with increased costs because of illegal immigrationspecifically those caused by the criminal acts of illegal immigrants. There are four programs included in my amendment to address these issues. First. there axe grants to law enforcement agencies within 100 miles of the Canadian or Mexican borders or such agencies where there is a lack of security and a rise in criminal activity because of the lack of border security. including a preference for communities with less than 50.000 people. Second. local governments can be reimbursed for costs associated with processing criminal illegal aliens such as indigent defense. criminal prosecution. translators. and court costs. Third. State and local law enforcement agencies can be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the detention and transportation of an illegal alien to Federal custody. Finally. reimbursements are available for costs incurred in prosecuting criminal cases that were federally initiated but where the Federal entity declined to prosecute. In addition. my bill requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide sufficient transportation and officers to take illegal aliens apprehended by State and local law enforcement officers into custody for processing at a detention facility operated by the Department. and that the Secretary designate at least one Federal. State. or 52. Pt. 13 September 13. 2006 local facility in each State as the central facility to transfer custody to the Department of Homeland Security.