Lawmakers Want To Deport More Illegal Alien Prisoners

Illegal aliens who wind up in Washington prisons are costing the state millions of dollars, state lawmakers say.

The House approved a measure Thursday aimed at cutting those costs by encouraging faster deportation and cheaper confinement for illegal alien offenders.

An estimated 1,500 of the state’s 11,000 prisoners are non-U.S. citizens and may be in the country illegally.

HB2711 would reduce the prison terms for some illegal aliens in favor of early deportation. While awaiting deportation, the offenders would be held in separate lower-cost facilities.

Illegal alien offenders could be placed in the program if they are serving a sentence of three years or less for a non-violent crime. Instead of serving their full sentences, eligible prisoners would be confined for four to six months and then turned over to federal immigration officials for deportation.

Illegal alien inmates also would not be eligible for most prison educational programs. Instead, they would be placed in low-paying work programs.

Critics say setting up separate facilities would amount to discrimination against ethnic minorities who make up the vast majority of illegal alien inmates.

The bill was approved, 84-11, and now heads for a Senate panel.