The Region - News from Jan. 22, 1986

Alarmed at figures showing that Los Angeles County taxpayers spent nearly $300 million last year providing services to illegal aliens, the Board of Supervisors backed an array of remedies aimed at recouping some of the costs and halting the flow of aliens into the country. The board authorized seeking federal reimbursement of $272.1 million, either through legal action or a letter to Congress, called for the military to help Border Patrol agents, and backed establishment of “immigration disaster” or “immigration impact” zones. Supervisor Ed Edelman opposed the board majority, arguing that while illegal aliens do take advantage of public services, they also “make a contribution.” Edelman cited county figures indicating that illegal aliens last year paid about $110 million in taxes that wound up in the county treasury.