Congresswoman Introduces Bill to Reimburse States for Illegal Immigrant Expenses

Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC) has introduced a bill that would use money earmarked for foreign aid to reimburse states for money spent to detain and educate illegal immigrants.

Ellmers’ Accountability in Foreign Aid Act addresses concerns Republicans have over the billions the states have been forced to spend due to the failure of the federal government to address illegal immigration.

“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,” Ellmers said. “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.”

“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,” she said.

“State and local governments, as well as school boards, would be able to apply for reimbursement for the expenses to the Treasury Department,” The Hill reported. “Applicable expenses would include public school education, detention facilities, medical care and other services for the immigrants.”

Ellmers said that the program would be paid for by withholding 15 percent of foreign aid accounts. She excluded food aid programs, military aid to Israel, and other military aid programs. She also said that programs that remove unexploded land mines would be exempt, as would Global Health Programs and programs for non-proliferation, anti-terrorism, and other related programs.

Follow Warner Todd Huston on Twitter @warnerthuston or email the author at igcolonel@hotmail.com.