Rep. may float bill to restore aid for jailing illegal immigrants

A Texas Republican said Monday he is considering legislation that would restore proposed cuts in President Obama’s budget to a program that subsidizes the jailing of illegal immigrants.

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) indicated he’s leaning toward introducing a measure to restore a $400 million cut to the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAPP), which provides subsidies to states to offset the costs of jailing illegal immigrants.

“I am hopeful there is so much bipartisan support there’ll be a groundswell of support,” McCaul said during an appearance on Fox News. “In fact, I’m going to look at the idea of introducing a bill to restore the funding in the budget.”

McCaul said he’d float the bill before the House Homeland Security Committee, on which he serves.

The cut to SCAPP, contained in President Obama’s proposed budget, had incited a minor uproar from conservative activists in favor of border security.

“I mean, this is a program that detains and incarcerates people who come into this country illegally and commit crimes,” McCaul argued. “Now, why in the world this president would want to cut funding for this is beyond me.”

McCaul insisted there were better programs in the budget Obama could target for elimination.