Taxpayers called 'doormat' for illegal border crossings

Locals voice concerns at House hearing

By John Marelius
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

August 15, 2006

San Diego area government officials complained yesterday that the federal government's failure to curb illegal crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border was sapping local public services while a key House chairman said prospects for action this year on the immigration front did not look good.

“San Diego may be the gateway to Mexico, but our taxpayers are the doormat,” County Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Horn told a hearing of the House Government Reform Committee in San Diego. “Every dollar spent on providing services to illegal immigrants or their children is a dollar that isn't used on taxpaying citizens.”

The House and Senate have passed bills that take dramatically different approaches to curbing illegal immigration, and Tom Davis, the committee chairman, said yesterday that it seemed unlikely the two sides would get together on a compromise anytime soon.

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Officials: Cost of illegal immigration 'immense'

By: EDWARD SIFUENTES - Staff Writer

SAN DIEGO ---- County officials testified during a congressional hearing Monday in San Diego that illegal immigrants extract a heavy toll on local governments and law enforcement agencies, especially in North County. But they said they did not know precisely how much.

Officials said illegal immigrants have strained local education, health care and prison resources. Many of the panelists blamed the federal government for failing to secure the nation's borders.

"San Diego County may be the gateway to Mexico, but my taxpayers in the County of San Diego are the doormat," said Supervisor Bill Horn, whose district includes most of North County.

The panel is part of a series of Republican-organized hearings held around the country on immigration reform. It was the fourth held in San Diego County since July 5, as Congress considers opposing immigration reform bills passed by the House and Senate.