Texas Becomes Latest State to Sue U.S. Government over Prisoner and Illegal Alien Costs

Following the lead of three other states, on May 26, 1994 Texas announced plans to sue the Federal Government to recover costs of public services for jailing and other services to illegal immigrants. The lawsuit is meant to correct a budget imbalance whereby illegal immigrants paid taxes to the Federal Government while state and local governments were responsible for providing them with services. Though President Clinton has asked Congress for funds to help states in this area, governors of several states have said that the funds requested were insufficient?[more]