Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks at the Sacramento Press Club in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Jan. 25, 2010. A new Field Poll release Sunday found that Schwarzenegger has just a 27 percent approval rating among registered voters, and lawmakers have an even worse rate of 16 percent. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger suggested Monday the estimated 20,000 undocumented immigrants incarcerated in California prisons should be sent to Mexico as a way for the state to reduce prison costs, and obtain savings for up to $1 billion.
Think about it,” the governor said. “We pay them to build the prison down in Mexico and then we have these undocumented immigrants be down there in prison. With their prison guards and all this, it’s half the cost to build and half the cost to operate the prison. We gain $1 billion right there that could go into higher education.”
The annual cost to house undocumented immigrants in California, who have been convicted of crimes, is about $800 million, while the contribution of the federal government is about $100 million. The governor wants Congress to assume the complete cost.
The idea to relocate undocumented-immigrant inmates to Mexico is not a formal plan, and it is not being considered thus far, administration officials said.
Schwarzenegger also considered allowing offshore oil drilling, and requesting more federal aid to tackle a $19 billion budget deficit. The governor acknowledged he opposed new offshore oil drilling in the past, but added that due to the current fiscal crisis “you look beyond just your principles.”
Schwarzenegger made an appearance at a meeting of journalists at the Sacramento Press Club, where he also commented that he doesn't blame voters for believing the state will be worse off when he leaves than when he took office, due to the lack of progress in improving the economy. A new poll released Sunday found 59 percent of registered voters believe the governor will leave California in worse shape than when he started his first term seven years ago.
Meanwhile, Schwarzenegger’s plan to release several thousands of non-violent inmates from state prisons over the next two years, has made Los Angeles police officials and other authorities to be concerned. The LAPD's Gang and Narcotics Division has estimated about 6,000 of the parolees could end up in Los Angeles County.
The main fear is that inmates who are notorious gang members could be counterproductive to the progress made in controlling ‘hot’ L.A. areas and in keeping youths away from gangs.
See below a local report on L.A. law enforcement reaction to the imminent release of inmates in California.
For more info: Please visit Office of the Governor site.
Comments
Just a very short time ago, he said the illegal aliens were not a problem in California. Why am I very sure he won't be Governor for another term. Deport all the illegal aliens and you will save a whole lot more than a mere billion dollars, by the way.
How about we secure the borders and then just deport them to Mexico. That would save a lot more!
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