Deportation Program Costs L.A. County More Than $26 Million

ColorLines

Los Angeles County is spending an estimated $26 million a year to hold undocumented immigrants under the Secure Communities program, according to a report released Thursday by Justice Strategies. Secure Communities, also known as S-Comm, checks the legal status of anyone booked into a local jail and transfers those who are undocumented to ICE custody.

Among the report's findings: - Los Angeles County taxpayers spend over $26 million per year to detain immigrants for ICE. - Individuals in Los Angeles County custody who are subject to immigration detainers spend, on average, 20.6 extra days in county custody. - California taxpayers spend an estimated $65 million annually to detain immigrants for ICE. - Based on L.A. County averages the report concludes S-Comm is costing the state an estimated $65 million.