Ohio sheriff bills U.S. government for jailed

[__Kratos__]

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."

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.

Sheriff Jones said ICE officials in his area have taken notice of the problem and have sought to help, but he blamed the Bush administration, Congress and the Mexican government for failing to address the overall problem of immigration.

"We're not a border state, we're in the middle of the country, but I can tell you the people here are fed up with this stuff," he said. "As the local sheriff, I keep my ear to the ground, and I hear what the people are saying. I have the bully pulpit and my constituents don't, so I am determined to speak for them.

"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."

The sheriff noted that recent immigration legislation being considered in Washington made no mention of holding Mexican President Vicente Fox or his country responsible for failing to secure its side of the U.S.-Mexico border. He said Mexico appears to be "doing little or nothing to stop anyone" from illegally crossing into America.

"Because of this, it seems to me the United States should make Mexico fiscally responsible for the increased expense of securing our southern border," he said.

Sheriff Jones said the U.S. government should seize Mexico's assets in the United States and use the money to pay for increased border security, compensate the victims of crimes committed by illegal aliens who came in through or from Mexico and reimburse the jails that house them.

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."

The Hispanic population in Hamilton, the Butler County seat, has grown by 500 percent since 1990. Overall, the county -- in southwestern Ohio, 25 miles north of Cincinnati -- has one of the region's fastest-growing Hispanic populations.

The sheriff's three bills represent $70-a-day in housing costs for the illegal aliens. The county forwarded bills to ICE, the Homeland Security agency in charge of detention, in the amounts of $71,610 for October, $30,030 for November and $23,380 for December.

Sheriff Jones has taken a strong public position in the past several months against what he described as the ever-increasing problems and financial burdens associated with illegal aliens at the local level. He wants changes in Ohio law to make it against the law for any illegal alien to trespass in the state -- making it possible for local law enforcement to arrest illegals and have them deported.

"The thousands of dollars it costs to house these illegal aliens must be paid by each and every taxpayer in Butler County," Sheriff Jones said. "This is money that could be put to much better use in our county."

Source

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I completely agree with that sheriff. He is just doing his job and looking out for the citizens of his county and America.

[Celumnaz]

Yep I agree with that sheriff for the most part. And the Fed Govt. should rebill at least 1/2 of it to Mexico. As a statement and a temporary measure until something acceptable is done about the border.

[PLO]

im sure the interest on loans that push south and central americans into debt stricken poverty would cover the bill.

LOL.

But yeah, i actually think that sheriffs a pretty funny guy billin homeland security.

[JeremyGTS]

I just moved to Butler county haha oh well it is a huge problem and i think someone needs to take care of it quick. I mean i can understand why they come over here, but something needs to be done to control the border.

[PLO]

yeah, you could rebuild their country for them.

[Fluffybunny]

yeah, you could rebuild their country for them.

It is not the job of the US to "rebuild" Mexico for anything.

[PLO]

well actually it is.

and see even if it wasnt, wouldnt it be quite a solution to the problem as apposed to trying to shoot people who cross the boarder. I mean wouldnt thgat be the neighbourly thing to do? instead of screwing them into the ground with trade deals and loans?

Edited February 1, 2006 by PLO

[Fluffybunny]

I didn't realize we were in the business of giving money away to countries just because. We loan money when countries ASK for them, we do not force our money on anyone. Perhaps Mexico should look into their own corruption (Which is considered just a part of doing business; it is expected) to see where millions upon millions of dollars are going to that are earmarked for the infrastructure of Mexico.

Again, I'd like to know how it is our job to rebuild Mexico?

[et's daddy]

i spent a year in Korea in the army

they dont want us there

so

lets bring our troops in Korea back home to patrol the boarder

edit: and also while i like the president, i agree the country is doing a lousy job in this matter

Edited February 1, 2006 by et's daddy

[PLO]

"We loan money when countries ASK for them, we do not force our money on anyone"

yes you do, its called NAFTA. I suggest you read my post pretaining to americas overtly aggresive trade policies.

"I didn't realize we were in the business of giving money away to countries just because"

its not a matter of just becuase, its matter of a good cuase, does the america goverment or people not wish to help people?, weird, they certianly claim their helping people. But i guess when they say that their actually terrorising nations with cluster bombs.

Edited February 1, 2006 by PLO

[et's daddy]

"We loan money when countries ASK for them, we do not force our money on anyone"

yes you do, its called NAFTA. I suggest you read my post pretaining to americas overtly aggresive trade policies.

"I didn't realize we were in the business of giving money away to countries just because"

its not a matter of just becuase, its matter of a good cuase, does the america goverment or people not wish to help people?, weird, they certianly claim their helping people. But i guess when they say that their actually terrorising nations with cluster bombs.

help people ?

why should all the hundreds of millions it would take go to mexico ?

we have so many homeless and starving people in this country

and yes some of it is due to lame adults, but why should the kids suffer

so secure the boarder with our troops in korea, then spend that money to feed and clothe the kids here

maybe you want to help the kids but not thier lame parents ?

offer them 3 meals a day at school