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Meeting Date:	06/10/2024
FY 2024 SCAAP Grant Application by the Webb Co Sheriff's Office
Submitted for:	Martin Cuellar	Submitted By:	Anita Guerra
Department:	Sheriff

Subject:

Discussion and possible action to authorize the submission of a grant application completed and submitted by the Webb County Sheriff’s Office Grant Writer to the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) for a FY 2024 State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) grant for reimbursement of costs already incurred for the incarceration of undocumented criminal aliens at the Webb County jail in the amount roughly estimated at $150,000; and authorizing the Webb County Judge to execute all relevant documents; and any other matters incident thereto. This grant does not require any cash match; and, in fact, is a reimbursement of costs already incurred. All required documents were sent for review through the Economic Development Department and the solicitation is compliant with the Webb County Single Point of Contact (SPOC) procedures. [Requested by Martin Cuellar, Webb County Sheriff]

Issue: Although immigration matters, including illegal immigration, are constitutionally established as existing under the legal jurisdiction and regulation of the federal government, state prisons and local detention facilities, such as the Webb County jail, incurs significant costs incarcerating undocumented foreign aliens who commit crimes in the United States. This includes but is not limited to supervision, housing, feeding, clothing, any medical and transportation expenses, and other associated detention costs.

Solution: Grant application to obtain reimbursement of a small percentage of the incurred correctional officer salary costs associated with detaining undocumented criminal aliens who had at least one felony or two misdemeanor convictions for violations of state or local law and who were incarcerated at the Webb County jail for at least four (4) consecutive days during the reporting period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.

Result: Webb County will be reimbursed by the federal government a limited percentage of the amount of its already incurred costs of detained foreign criminals incarcerated at the Webb County jail.

Background:

Under FY 2024 SCAAP, payments will be made in connection with “undocumented criminal aliens” who had been convicted of at least one felony or two misdemeanors (typically for violations of state or local law) and who were “incarcerated” under the legal authority of the applicant government for at least 4 consecutive days during the “reporting period.”

Previous Court Action:

The submission of this grant application is approved a yearly basis.

Fiscal Impact

Budget Account Number:	To Be Determined
Funding Source:	Grant Revenue
Balance:	Not Applicable
Financial Impact:
$150,000 Estimated grant funds/revenue.* *However, since the different variables of the specific federal appropriation, number of applicants applying, and maximum reimbursable salary costs for each applying entity all help determined the percentage factor the Bureau of Justice Assistance will utilize, it is difficult to accurately project the grant amount/reimbursement that will be awarded to Webb County.