INS Undocumented Tally Bolsters California’s Case

The fuzzy data on the number of immigrants entering the United States illegally has provided an easy excuse for Washington to duck its obligation to reimburse states and cities for costs associated with services to the undocumented. That is no longer the case. The Immigration and Naturalization Service released a study last week that is said to be the most systematic government effort yet to count the nation’s undocumented population. The numbers, higher than previous estimates, warrant Washington’s attention and action.

The INS said that the number of immigrants in the country illegally or who have overstayed their visas is now more than 5 million. Of that total, 2 million, or 40%, reside in California. The undocumented account for about 6.3% of the state’s total population. Nationally, they make up 1.9%.

The data unequivocally show the huge financial burden borne by California. While the Clinton administration was the first to provide states with some relief, more--much more--is needed. Gov. Wilson has renewed his call for reimbursements of state funds spent on prisons, health care and education for the undocumented.

Clinton’s new budget includes some funds for prisons but not for health and education.

The president’s budget proposes about $500 million to reimburse states for the costs of incarcerating illegal immigrants, less than the $650 million authorized by the last crime bill. Since fiscal year 1995, Congress has appropriated money annually for such reimbursements. Last December, the Justice Department released $495 million. California received $252 million and Los Angeles County $12.6 million. But California will spend about $498 million alone in fiscal 1996-97 for 19,285 prisoners with INS “holds.”

Providing emergency medical care to undocumented immigrants also is a huge cost to the state--about $389 million this fiscal year. The federal immigration bill, signed by the president last fall, provides for 100% reimbursement by the federal government to hospitals that provide emergency services to illegal aliens, subject to annual appropriations. Wilson’s office notes that Clinton’s new budget proposal includes nothing for such reimbursements, which have been widely supported on a bipartisan basis.

Immigration policy is a federal responsibility. The bucks should come from Washington. Providing emergency medical care to undocumented immigrants will cost the state $389 million this fiscal year. The president proposes nothing for such reimbursements.