Study weighs costs of Va. immigration |
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Wed, 24 Jan 2007 22:44
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MANASSAS, Va. (AFX) - Prince William County estimated that it spends at least $3 million a year providing services to illegal immigrants, but receives an even greater economic benefit from their presence, according to a recent government report.The study was requested by a county supervisor concerned that illegal immigrants are a drain on taxpayers, especially as the county seeks to close a looming budget shortfall of $18 million.Republican Supervisor W.S. 'Wally' Covington III said it is 'patently unfair to have local taxpayers here legally picking up the tab' on services to illegal immigrants. He wrote a letter Tuesday to congressional leaders asking for reimbursement of the $3 million.The study, however, found it almost impossible to come with an accurate estimate of the costs of services. The $3 million figure, for instance, does not include any education costs because the school system does not inquire about students' residency status.All but $44,000 of the estimated $3 million comes from the cost of detaining inmates at the county jail.The $44,000 is the estimated cost of providing emergency Medicaid service to 850 illegal immigrants who requested such aid between January and November of 2006.The report also concluded that the costs are 'outweighed by the economic benefit and money that this segment of the population brings into the county.'The 2000 Census estimated that 14,000 of the county's 281,000 residents at the time were illegal immigrants.Prince William, where about 20 percent of residents are foreign-born, is among several local governments in the region struggling with the issue of illegal immigration. Last week, the county proposed allowing its jail to take on the federal task of screening undocumented immigrants for deportation.Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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