Ohio sheriff bills U.S. government for jailed illegals

Ever wondered how much we as a country spends on housing illegal immigrants who are in the justice system? Well, I can't give you a nationwide number, but the Butler County (Ohio) Sheriff, Richard K. Jones has told the federal government how much it is costing his county, more than $125,000 in three months. This story comes from the Washington Times.

An Ohio sheriff has billed the Department of Homeland Security $125,000 for the cost of jailing illegal aliens arrested on criminal charges in his county, saying he's angry that the federal government has failed in its responsibility to keep them out of the United States.

Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones yesterday said that although the government may not be legally obligated to pay the three bills he has sent since November, he intends to send similar ones every month until the federal government gains control of the border.

He said 900 foreign-born inmates have been booked into the crowded Butler County jail in the past year.

"Why should Butler County taxpayers have to pay for jail costs associated with people we don't believe should ever have been in this country, let alone this state or county, to begin with?" Sheriff Jones said. "They are in my jail because they have committed crimes here.

"It's time the federal government should at least pay for the criminals they let stay here," he said. "If they don't want to pay for them, then they can deport them."

Here, here. Of course, there is the run-around from the feds:

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokesman Dean Boyd said the agency "repeatedly reached out to the Butler County Sheriff's Department" and, on multiple occasions, offered ICE enforcement resources to the sheriff in addressing the illegal alien population in Butler County.

"As part of these efforts, ICE agents have interviewed the foreign nationals in the sheriff's custody awaiting trial on state or local charges," he said. "ICE has placed immigration detainers on all of the individuals who are illegal aliens subject to removal from the country."

On completion of their criminal proceedings, Mr. Boyd said, ICE expects the aliens to be turned over to the agency for removal.

My question is simple, why are we waiting for their criminal proceedings to end? The cost of prosecuting illegal immigrants should also be billed to DHS. If the people charged are here illegally, they should be deported as soon as the deportation proceedings can be completed. There is no need to prosecute them under our laws, they are not here legally. Why are we giving them rights they have to right to expect? The idea seems stupid on its face.

As Sheriff Jones noted:

"This is not rocket science," he said. "I intend to continue to bring this problem to the attention of anyone who will listen. There is little else I can do unless and until the system is changed."

snip

He said, "While I love President Bush, I give him an F-minus in immigration," noting the administration has not done enough to control the U.S. borders.

"If I accomplish anything, I hope I get more people talking about the problem," he said. "I just hope our elected officials start listening."

Thank you Sheriff Jones!!