Bob Dole: “when I visited with sheriffs across North Carolina over August, one of their main concerns was the lack of detention…”

“when I visited with sheriffs across North Carolina over August, one of their main concerns was the lack of detention space to hold criminal aliens when they are apprehended. It is unconscionable that our State and local authorities have to struggle with resources because uncooperative countries fail to take back their nationals who have been ordered by the courts to be removed from the United States. This amendment is simple and is consistent with current law. It prohibits funds from being expended in violation of section 243(d) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. In other words, it prevents the State Department from issuing visas to citizens of countries that refuse to accept these court-ordered-removed illegal aliens. During fiscal year 2003, the year for which we have the latest information, the detention of criminal and non-criminal aliens from the top eight uncooperative countries that blocked or inhibited their removal cost the United States over 981,000 detention days and $83 million. The status quo is unacceptable--it is costing much needed detention space and resources.”