President Trump’s proposed budget cuts will leave Yuma County Sheriff’s Office in financial deficit

President Trump proposed a massive increase in federal spending to stop illegal immigration on Thursday.

However, the plan would terminate a grant that assists Arizona Sheriff’s in detaining those with an illegal status, including those in Yuma County. While the President’s proposal would save the federal government over $200 million, it would cut millions from the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office budget. Alfonso Zavala, a representative with the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office, said the government already owes Yuma County nearly $1 million since the 2016 fiscal year. “There’s a difference of about $1 million” Zavala said. “We got $72,000 back last year. If we got $0 next year, you might be looking at another $1 million [deficit] at the Yuma County.” Moreover, the proposal would eliminate a program known as the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program, a program that covers costs to detain undocumented inmates. “We are going to have to continue to work with our federal partners,” Zavala said. “[We’ll have to] figure out ways to gather funds.” The Arizona Sheriff’s Association requested federal assistance through a letter to Senator Flake. Zavala said the department’s hope is to pay for the costs they’ve yet to get reimbursed for after covering additional inmate costs.