True immigration reformer Rep. Lou Barletta (R-Pa.) is calling on his colleagues to reject President Obama’s fiscal year 2015 budget, which undermines immigration enforcement, and instead provide “robust funding” for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP). The SCAAP program provides federal money to states and local municipalities for the costs they incur from the incarceration of criminal aliens. Remarkably, the President’s budget would eliminate this vital program, forcing cash-strapped municipal governments to foot the bill for locking up dangerous aliens.
In response to the President’s budget, Rep. Barletta is asking Members of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies—the committee of jurisdiction for funding the SCAAP program—to “sufficiently fund SCAAP.” “Not providing robust funding for this important program provides a disincentive to incarcerate illegal immigrants and puts our constituents and all American citizens at risk. We are disappointed that this administration completely disregards the rule of law and is passing the buck to my constituents,” the letter charges.
Click here to read the full letter. Ask your U.S. Representative to stand with Rep. Barletta by supporting funding for local-federal cooperation for the incarceration of criminal aliens.
