Question:

Why should taxpayers bear the burden of supporting undocumented aliens?

Background:

Immigration is a federal function that citizens support with the money they pay in taxes to the Internal Revenue Service. However, the federal government routinely deputizes local law enforcement agents to assist in immigration enforcement, even though the federal government does not provide funding to local governments for this purpose. This cooperation means local taxpayers effectively pay twice for immigration enforcement – once with their federal taxes, and again with their state and local taxes.

Here in Hawai`i local law enforcement agents routinely cooperate with federal agencies on immigration issues. One common request, a warrant-less detainer, asks local law enforcement agents to hold an arrested undocumented immigrant at OCCC for 48 hours longer than the allowable 24 hours. Federal judges in other districts have ruled these warrant-less detainers are unlawful. The direct cost to Hawai`i taxpayers for the cooperation of our local law enforcement agents over the last 10 years has been estimated at $300,000. In addition, holding immigrants on warrant-less detainers contributes to the overcrowding of OCCC, a facility already bursting at the seams.

Answer:

A state sanctuary bill will save Hawai`i taxpayers money by refusing to honor requests for non-public information and warrant-less detainers issued by ICE. Taxpayers will not have to pay twice for immigration enforcement.