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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Securing the nation’s borders is the responsibility of the federal government, but when the government fails, it must help the states and localities bear the costs, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, a member of the Judiciary Committee, said Tuesday. To help ensure that states, border counties and localities are not forced to shoulder the financial burden of incarcerating undocumented criminal aliens, Cornyn joined colleagues from border states in co-sponsoring legislation to help reimburse such costs."When the federal government fails to live up to its responsibilities on the border, states and counties shouldn’t – and often can’t – pick up the tab,” Cornyn said. “At a time when efforts to expand homeland security are increasing daily, we can’t possibly expect local governments to assume costs they did not create.” the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) Reauthorization Act, S. 460, is sponsored by Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) with eight additional co-sponsors. The bi-partisan bill will assist states whose costs for incarcerating criminal illegal immigrants continue to be significantly higher than federal funding levels."This bill authorizes approximately $6.3 billion over 6 years to reimburse states and counties for direct costs associated with incarcerating undocumented criminal aliens convicted of felonies or multiple misdemeanors,” Cornyn said. According to the Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, Texas incurred more than $1.1 billion in total salary costs related to incarceration. The federal payment for undocumented immigrant incarceration costs in fiscal year 2002 was $51.6 million. Earlier this month, Cornyn joined his colleagues from border states in introducing the Local Emergency Health Services Reimbursement Act (S. 412). The bill provides funding to cover the costs of federally mandated emergency health care for undocumented immigrants. According to a study commissioned by members of Congress, Texas border counties alone pay nearly $74 million in uncompensated costs and S.412 will help “balance the scales,” Cornyn said. Hearings on the bill will be held in the Judiciary Committee soon. Four members of the committee are co-sponsors.