EDITORIAL PASSING THE BUCK FED SHORTCHANGES LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ON IMMIGRATION.IT ought to go without saying that until Washington fixes the country's broken immigration immigration, entrance of a person (an alien) into a new country for the purpose of establishing permanent residence. Motives for immigration, like those for migration generally, are often economic, although religious or political factors may be very important. system, Washington -- and not state and local governments -- should bear the cost of jailing criminal illegal immigrants illegal immigrant n. an alien (non-citizen) who has entered the United States without government permission or stayed beyond the termination date of a visa. (See: alien) . Alas, on a good day, the feds only pick up one-third of that cost. And on most other days, it's a lot less. That's because the Justice Department has proven unwilling or unable to cut reimbursement Reimbursement Payment made to someone for out-of-pocket expenses has incurred. checks to affected local governments. Currently, California is out $89.5 million, and Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. County $12.5 million. This is inexcusable. If Washington can't grapple with immigration, then it ought to at least pay for its failure -- rather than passing the costs along. |
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