Perry bills Obama $350 million for incarcerated illegals

Texas Governor and presidential hopeful, Rick Perry has sent a bill to President Obama's Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Janet Napolitano, for the costs of incarcerating illegal immigrants. The bill, in the amount of $350 million, is more of a publicity stunt than anything else, and is unlikely to be paid. 

AUSTIN, TX (Catholic Online) - Governor Perry explained in a letter to Secretary Napolitano, that the federal government isn't doing enough to secure the borders and that illegal immigrants are crossing freely and using taxpayer-funded resources, and sometimes being incarcerated. The DHS has not commented on the request, or even if it had received the letter.

According to Perry, Illegal immigrants make up a substantial portion of the Texas prison population, and the cost is a burden. In his letter, Perry wrote, "During tough economic times, when communities are making difficult decisions about their own budgets, Texas counties are being asked to cover more than $94.4 million in direct costs related to housing illegal immigrants while the state has been left to cover more than $254.8 million in such costs."

No matter who you ask, Perry has a mixed record on immigration. He opposes the construction of a wall along the border with Mexico, and supported discounted tuition for children of illegal immigrants attending colleges and universities. He has also spoken out against Arizona's notoriously tough anti-illegal immigration policies. However, he has supported legislation that would prevent cities from becoming safe havens, or "sanctuaries" for illegal immigrants, which has upset Hispanic immigration activists. 

The mixed record is a certain indicator of a politician striving for office. The needs of Texas are unique to that region, while the needs of the nation can sometimes be incongruent. Secretary Napolitano herself submitted similar invoices to the government when she was Arizona's governor and before she became Obama's DHS secretary. And while changes in position from politicians can be expected, reimbursement for the costs of illegal immigration cannot. 

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