Arizona’s Representatives Ann Kirkpatrick, and Paul Gosar, facilitated a meeting this week between senior ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) officials and Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu and Board of Supervisors Chairman Steve Miller. The county officials seek to renegotiate the terms of a Pinal County Jail contract that goes back to 2006.
Kirkpatrick and Gosar arranged the meeting after sending a May 8, joint letter to ICE, in which they wrote, “Federal unfunded costs should not be imposed on the taxpayers of Pinal County, Arizona … If the costs of housing an inmate are in fact higher than the federal reimbursement rate, there is a serious issue that must be addressed.”
The representatives say the “meeting was highly productive, and ICE officials are moving forward in considering Pinal County’s request to renegotiate the contract terms and reimbursement rate.”
Gosar said, “A key part of border security is arrest, detention and punishment. The nation can’t afford to have this facility closed and hundreds of criminals released. I am pleased to work together to get this matter addressed.”
Sheriff Babeu said, “Just last week, the Pinal County Board of Supervisors was set to vote and give ICE a 100-day notice on their intent to cancel the contract between Pinal County and ICE to house their detainees in our facility. The County Manager told the Board of Supervisors he was unsuccessful due to the sequester to negotiate with ICE any changes to the contract. While this was occurring, I reached out to Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick and Congressman Paul Gosar and asked them both for immediate assistance. In a matter of days, they were able to facilitate a meeting with top-level ICE officials, who immediately agreed to begin the negotiation process. Thanks to Congresswoman Kirkpatrick and Congressman Gosar’s immediate attention, ICE has agreed to help resolve this issue, which will save 130 to 200 of my employees’ jobs. Myself and my staff are extremely appreciative of their intervention.”