U. S. Asked to Pay for for Immigrant Costs
The Ventura County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday seeking reimbursement from the federal government for county funds expended on undocumented immigrants.
Although no specific cost estimates showing what the county expends were immediately available, board Chairwoman Vicky Howard said state officials will spend more than $3 billion this year to pay for health, education and public assistance programs.
Supervisor John K. Flynn was absent for the vote.
Howard said the county and the state must, by law, provide services to undocumented immigrants, but that state and local governments in return should receive reimbursement for the expenses.
“We have been forced to continue covering these costs,” Howard said. “Meanwhile, the federal government has failed to live up to their part of the program by not appropriating the necessary funding.”
County officials said the non-binding resolution will be forwarded to federal officials.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
