Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, a Republican, has taken steps to ensure comprehensive tracking of the costs associated with illegal immigration in the state. In an executive order signed on Tuesday, the focus is on “identifying, quantifying, and mitigating the adverse effects of illegal immigration in Louisiana,” as stated by his office.
The order mandates every executive branch entity in Louisiana to collect specific data within 120 days, aiming to determine the financial impact of illegal immigration on the state.
Governor Landry emphasized that the expenses linked to illegal immigration are burdensome for hard-working Louisianans and stressed the need to understand the full extent of the financial strain on citizens due to individuals not adhering to the law.
While asserting Louisiana’s openness to legal immigrants, Governor Landry stressed the unsustainable nature of taxpayers shouldering the costs for those who break the law. He stated, “Louisiana will always welcome those who legally immigrate, but taxpayers cannot continue to foot the bill for individuals who break the law and skip the line.”
The executive order requires comprehensive reports from every state agency, department, office, commission, board, and entity, outlining their roles and responsibilities in providing public services or expending public funds for the benefit of illegal aliens. The reports must also offer recommendations for collecting and analyzing relevant data.
Furthermore, law enforcement in the state is directed to submit monthly reports to the governor detailing the number of persons charged or convicted of criminal offenses. These reports will include information on citizenship or nationality, immigration status, criminal history, known or suspected gang affiliation, and jurisdiction of arrest and/or conviction.
Governor Landry’s order emphasizes transparency, requiring the regular publication of all collected data on state websites. This ensures that the public has access to the most up-to-date information regarding the impact of illegal immigration in Louisiana.
