Speaker. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1512. the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) Reimbursement Protection Act. SCAAP is vital to my district on eastern Long Island by providing much needed assistance to municipal governments that incur the large cost of incarcerating undocumented immigrants. In fact. in my district of Suffolk County. officials estimate that 10 to 12 percent of those incarcerated are undocumented individuals with a cost to the County of approximately $12 million in 2006. Unfortunately. SCAAP does not reimburse States for all of the costs to incarcerate undocumented individuals. Presently. the only funding that SCAAP provides is the cost of incarcerating undocumented immigrants who have been convicted of a felony or two or more misdemeanors. This legislation will reimburse States incarcerating undocumented individuals charged with a felony or two or more misdemeanors. This small change will greatly assist local governments who are overburdened by recent escalating costs. While my district and many others across the Nation have greatly benefited from SCAAP funding. the Bush administration continues to eliminate funding for the program. I was proud to cosign a bipartisan letter to House appropriators asking that they reject the Presidents shortsighted elimination of the program and increase SCAAP funding. I am a strong supporter of comprehensive immigration reform and as Congress continues to debate immigration reform. we cannot deny that State and local governments are on the frontlines of immigration enforcement. I will continue to work to ensure that they receive adequate funding and resources for the important role they play. 54. Pt. 6 May 6. 2008 I want to thank my colleague.
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immigrants immigration undocumented