In 2003. the Department of Justice (DOJ) reinterpreted the SCAAP statute in a way that caused a drastic drop in every States reimbursement. Now States no longer receive reimbursement unless (1) the criminal alien is convicted of a felony or two misdemeanors. and (2) the arrest and conviction occurred in the same fiscal year. I commend Congresswoman SANCHEZ for introducing H.R. 1512. a bipartisan bill which exemplifies the spirit in which we should approach many challenges in the immigration field. H.R. 1512 would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act so that States and localities can be reimbursed for the cost of incarcerating aliens who are either "charged with or convicted" of a felony or two misdemeanors regardless of the fiscal year of the incarceration and conviction. Mr. Speaker. it is important that H.R. 1512 has been endorsed by the National Sheriffs Association and the U.S./Mexico Coalition of Border Counties.
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