Arizona Struggles with Inadequate Federal Reimbursements for SCAAP Costs

Challenges in Funding for Jailing Undocumented Criminals Persist Despite Political Promises

For over 30 years, promises from Congress to fully reimburse state and local law enforcement for the costs associated with jailing undocumented criminals remain unfulfilled. Arizona officials hold little hope for change, even amid ongoing immigration debates.

President Donald Trump, during his tenure, proposed cutting the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP), describing it as “poorly targeted and an ineffective tool to support immigration enforcement.” Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes highlighted the diminishing returns from the program, noting many counties ceased participation, finding the process inefficient.

In 2023, Yavapai County received $107,000 from SCAAP. Sheriff Rhodes pointed out the disparity between costs and reimbursements, stating, “They don’t even pay anywhere near that,” referencing a year when the county incurred $700,000 in expenses but received only $120,000.

SCAAP, administered by the Justice Department, provides federal payments to state and local governments for the costs of incarcerating undocumented criminals with specific convictions. Despite its intent, funding has never met the needs of these jurisdictions.

In 2023, Congress allocated $234 million to SCAAP, a stark contrast to its initial $130 million in 1995 and its peak of $585 million. However, Arizona’s share has dwindled, with the state and its counties receiving $4.3 million last year, the lowest in a decade.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos expressed dissatisfaction, stating, “We still absolutely do not receive the right amount of money.” Pima County received $122,000 last year but plans to forgo application this year, citing that less than 1% of its jail population are migrants.

The Arizona Department of Corrections received $5.3 million in 2023 and $3.7 million in 2024 from SCAAP, yet declined to comment on the program’s efficacy. Despite President Joe Biden’s proposal to cut SCAAP, Congress intervened to preserve its funding.

Ira Mehlman from the Federation for American Immigration Reform stressed the importance of federal responsibility, stating, “The federal government failed to prevent these illegal immigrants from being let into the country. Because of their failure, there needs to be reimbursement.”

In 2016, nearly all of Arizona’s counties received SCAAP funds; however, by last year, only five counties did, with amounts ranging from $1,102 in Mohave to $439,000 in Maricopa County.

Maricopa County’s deputy budget director, Kirstin Prindle, noted the decrease in funding, observing, “SCAAP funding has decreased over the past couple of years.”

Sheriff Rhodes highlighted the necessity for adequate federal support, particularly given the expectations placed on local law enforcement to assist in immigration enforcement. “I hope that we can get some more money here,” he said, advocating for full reimbursement in exchange for local cooperation.