Examiner.com

The immigrant advocacy group CASA de Maryland says the new immigration enforcement program in Frederick County could cost the county $3.2 million per year.

CASA says the estimate takes into account increased police training, staffing, detention costs and the possibile drain on the foster care system if immigrant parents are detained.

However, County Commissioner Charles Jenkins says he doubts CASA’s figures. He says the county is reimbursed by the federal government for detaining immigrants.

Frederick County is the first Maryland jurisdiction to check the immigration status of people who are arrested.

CASA legal director Kerry O’Brien says Frederick is showing little appreciation for the contributions that immigrants have made.