WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) released the following statement after introducing H.R. 5673 – The Accountability in Foreign Aid Act:

“The situation at the border is unprecedented— children are coming into our states at a rate that will overwhelm our local communities and their available resources. These children are being funneled into our public schools and our hospitals are forced to provide emergency care, but our states are given no financial assistance to deal with this ongoing problem.”

“Our president chose to avoid working with Congress in securing our nation’s border, but that should not mean state and local governments are responsible for bearing these costs. The rate at which illegal immigrants continue to pour in is indicative of the need for real change. Rather than continue to supply an endless amount of foreign aid abroad, it’s time we redirect funding sent overseas and prioritize our local governments who are left footing the bill.”

“North Carolina and other states cannot afford, and do not deserve, another unfunded federal mandate. The Accountability in Foreign Aid Act will provide much needed financial assistance to states and local governments. Foreign aid cannot continue to be a blank check, and The Accountability in Foreign Aid Act ensures that it will not.”

Friday, Sept. 19, Congresswoman Renee Ellmers introduced H.R. 5673 – The Accountability in Foreign Aid Act. This legislation would reimburse states for funds spent on illegal immigrants with funds from foreign aid accounts. Currently states face what is, essentially, an unfunded mandate when it comes to services that must be provided to illegal immigrants. For example, Newsmax published an article estimating the cost for states to educate undocumented children at $761 million dollars.

Under this legislation, the U.S. Secretary of Treasury will establish a program for reimbursing states for expenses related to the presence of aliens who have no lawful immigration status in the United States—including anyone subject to the administration’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

State governments, local governments, school boards and other entities within states will be required to submit an application for reimbursement and provide documentation of the expenses. The Secretary of Treasury will determine if documentation is sufficient and if expenses are eligible. Eligible expenses include: public elementary and secondary education; incarceration and detention; emergency medical treatment; short-term, non-cash, in-kind emergency disaster relief; immunizations; programs, services, or assistance as specified by the Attorney General which are necessary for the protection of life or safety.

Reimbursements to states would be paid for by withholding 15 percent of all Department of State foreign aid accounts. This does not include USDA aid programs (such as Food for Peace), military aid to Israel or other Department of Defense aid programs. Global Health Programs are exempted from this cut, as is non-proliferation, anti-terrorism, demining and related programs.

Click here to view H.R. 5673 – The Accountability in Foreign Aid Act