Washington, DC: Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-04) and Congressman Andrew Garbarino (NY-02) released a bipartisan letter urging the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) to increase funding for the Department of Justice’s State Criminal Alien Assistance Program in the upcoming CJS appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2026. This funding would support states, counties, and local governments who are shouldering the burden of incarcerating undocumented immigrants who have been convicted of crimes.
“Enforcing our nation’s immigration laws is a core responsibility of the federal government. We respectfully request that Congress continue to provide these critical resources to local jurisdictions by increasing funding for the SCAAP program in FY2026,” wrote the Representatives. “This critical program helps reimburse states, counties, and local governments for the costs of incarcerating undocumented immigrants who have been convicted of crimes. Without these additional resources, local jurisdictions are being asked to do more with less and will struggle to keep up.”
"It is disappointing that the previous administration requested the elimination of this successful program in its FY2025 budget request," continued the Representatives. "We are grateful that in its FY25 CJS report, the House Appropriations Committee 'rejects the administration’s assertion that SCAAP is not a ‘useful tool for promoting the implementation of a fair and reasonable national immigration policy’ and emphasizes the importance of SCAAP in assisting local law enforcement with the costly burden of incarcerating criminal aliens. In FY26, Congress should continue to do so by increasing funding for this important program."
Nassau County received more than $2.3 million in SCAAP funds in FY24 and more than $3.6 million in FY23.
Suffolk County received more than $1.2 million in SCAAP funds in FY24 and more than $1.3 million in FY23.
The full text of the letter can be found HERE and below.
The Honorable Hal Rogers
Chairman, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
H-310, The Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20515
The Honorable Grace Meng
Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
H-204, The Capitol
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Meng:
We write to urge you to increase funding for the Department of Justice State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. This critical program helps reimburse states, counties, and local governments for the costs of incarcerating undocumented immigrants who have been convicted of crimes. We respectfully request that Congress continue to provide these critical resources to local jurisdictions by increasing funding for the SCAAP program in FY2026.
Enforcing our nation’s immigration laws is a core responsibility of the federal government. However, the failure to secure our borders has caused increased costs for many communities across the country which are forced to shoulder the burden. Congress established the SCAAP program in 1994 to help provide critical reimbursement to local jurisdictions for a share of the costs of incarcerating criminals who have committed a felony or at least two misdemeanor convictions and are illegally present in the United States. Without these additional resources, local jurisdictions are being asked to do more with less and will struggle to keep up.
Congress provided $234 million in funding for SCAAP in FY 2024. However, this level of funding is a decrease from the $565 million Congress provided in FY 2002, and it falls far short of the program’s authorized level of $950 million. At the same time as SCAAP funding has decreased, communities continue to face increased costs associated with enforcement. That is why it is disappointing that the previous administration requested the elimination of this successful program in its FY2025 budget request, and we are grateful that in its FY25 CJS report, the House Appropriations Committee “rejects the administration’s assertion that SCAAP is not a ‘useful tool for promoting the implementation of a fair and reasonable national immigration policy’ and emphasizes the importance of SCAAP in assisting local law enforcement with the costly burden of incarcerating criminal aliens.” In FY26, Congress should continue to do so by increasing funding for this important program.
Thank you for your consideration of our request to increase funding for the SCAAP Program which directly benefits our communities and public safety.
Regards,
Laura A. Gillen
Member of Congress
Andrew R. Garbarino
Member of Congress
