Dewhurst wants Obama to pay for jailed illegals

Texas Tribune:

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, in a pitched re-election battle with three GOP primary opponents, on Tuesday sent a letter to President Obama expressing his disappointment in the federal government's inability to secure the border and requesting millions to repay county jails for housing undocumented immigrants.

"Nearly 90% of Texas counties are affected by this unnecessary burden," he wrote. "This largely unfunded mandate cannot continue unchecked."

Dewhurst said the money spent jailing undocumented immigrants who have been charged with crimes could be better spent on increased law enforcement efforts, adding that he looked forward to a response in the form of "prompt payment."

Texas county jails spent more than $156.6 million housing more than 131,000 undocumented immigrants with federal detainers between October 2011 and September 2013, according to state jail commission data.
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Obama probably views that as chump change in his big spending budget, but is unlikely to respond because it would imply the failure of his immigration policy and he also does not want to help a red state like Texas.  It would probably take litigation to recover the money.  Perhaps Lt. Gov. Dewhurst should ask AG Greg Abbott to look at the potential for a suit seeking reimbursement.