Local law enforcement entities will soon be getting some much needed financial help from the federal government for housing undocumented immigrants.
The bill will make available a total of 265-million dollars to reimburse counties for the money they use in holding undocumented immigrants in county jails.
In a statement released by Congressman Henry Cuellar, he says "while immigration is a federal responsibility, our state and local law enforcement play a unique role in improving border security".
He goes on to say in part, "these grants support enhanced cooperation and coordination between Homeland Security and local law enforcement to help secure our borders".
Federal statistics show a total of four-percent of people locked up in state prisons are non-citizens.