Arizona lawmaker calls on federal government to fully fund SCAAP
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords today released the following statement about the Operation Stonegarden grants announced in Tucson today by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.
The $12.7 million in Operation Stonegarden grants announced today by Secretary Napolitano provide a critical source of much-needed funding for local law enforcement agencies in Arizona and across the country. Considering the tough economic situation, these funds could not come at a better time.
As welcome as this federal support is, we must not forget that the responsibility to enforce our immigration laws belongs to the federal government. Its failure to secure our borders means state and local governments have no choice but to step in and pick up the slack.
This problem is vividly underscored by the games being played with the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program. Known as SCAAP, this program helps state and local governments offset the costs they incur to incarcerate illegal immigrants. It must be fully funded. As long as Arizona sheriff’s offices are doing the federal government’s work, they should be compensated.
Funding for SCAAP was eliminated in the 2010 federal spending plan released last month by President Obama. I was among a bipartisan coalition of members of Congress who strongly objected, and I am pleased that House budget writers heard our concerns. On Thursday, the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee approved $300 million for SCAAP.
While this represents a 25 percent decrease from the funding SCAAP received last year, it is an acknowledgement of the importance of these funds. SCAAP received $400 million last year and should receive at least that amount this year.