Senate Bill 2176

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO SEEK REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR ALL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION INCURRED BY THE STATE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) The Legislature finds that:

(a) Addressing illegal immigration in Mississippi costs the state approximately One Hundred Six Million Dollars ($106,000,000,00) yearly which adds a significant burden on the state's budgetary and human resources;

(b) The areas in which these costs have been incurred include, but are not limited to, identifying illegal immigrants, processing illegal immigrants through the criminal justice system, incarcerating illegal immigrants, and providing education, medical assistance and health care for illegal immigrants;

(c) Federal funding to assist states in dealing with illegal immigration has decreased, yet the federal government is asking state governments to do even more with their own funds to enforce federal immigration laws and preserve homeland security, which are essentially federal responsibilities; and

(d) The federal government is in arrears on its obligation to reimburse states for costs incurred by the states in dealing with illegal immigration.

(2) The Legislature, therefore, determines that it is necessary for the State of Mississippi to protect its interests and seek the recovery of reimbursement available under federal law for the costs incurred by this state in dealing with illegal immigration.

SECTION 2. (1) On and after July 31, 2017, the Attorney General, on behalf of the State of Mississippi, shall pursue all available remedies to recover any monies owed from the federal government to the state for the reimbursement of costs incurred by the state associated with illegal immigration, including incarceration, education and healthcare.

(2) On or before December 31, 2017, and each year thereafter, the Attorney General shall file a written report with the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Chairperson of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee that details the progress and status of the Attorney General's pursuit of remedies.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2017.