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During each presidential cycle, specific and at times sensitive issues have a propensity to dominate headlines.

Locally, the issue surrounding immigration was brought up at the Clark County Fiscal Court meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 10th.

Specifically, the topic of two alleged non-U.S. residents who did not have legal permission to enter the country residing in the Clark County Detention Center was discussed.

Requesting input from Clark County Jailer Frank Doyle following a report, Magistrate Mark Miller addressed the topic.

“I just think the public needs to know,” Miller said. “If you would mention about the two illegal aliens and what it’s costing the county to house them and deal with their medical issues, I would greatly appreciate that.”

Acknowledging that two inmates, who shall remain nameless, were housed at the Clark County Detention Center, Doyle noted that medical issues were a matter the CCDC was dealing with.

Notably, one of the individuals required dialysis treatments approximately three times weekly.

A second individual, whose medical care previously required two daily trips to Louisville, has also needed attention.

According to Doyle, such requirements have demanded overtime, with both inmates awaiting trial.

Miller inquired about the role of ICE, or the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, in the matter.

“They haven’t been convicted of anything,” Doyle responded. “Until they go through the court system, ICE won’t even touch them.”

Responding to questions about financial cost, resident Ernie Sammons – who consults with the Clark County Detention Center – stated that each dialysis treatment costs approximately $600-$900 per visit.

“There’s three [visits] per week, so that’s 156 visits. At the low end, that’s $93,600 annually just for the dialysis treatment,” Sammons said. “We’ve calculated the deputies’ time at time and a half and also fully burdened [labor rate] at thirty percent…that’s another $31,955. The annual cost of the dialysis patient is $125,000, and we’ve had him for more than two years.”

Sammons opined that the cost to taxpayers was, therefore, approximately $250,000, adding that he needed to be kept in jail due to charges of incest with a minor under the age of twelve.

Regarding costs for the second individual, Sammons stated that the cost was yet to be determined.

As mentioned, immigration – as is common in many elections – has become a question of debate.

While many disagree with the current state of immigration, including several governors who have taken action to combat what they see as a growing concern, others deem that the problems have been exaggerated and have taken more supportive approaches.

When responding to the questions of what action – if any – could be taken, Doyle responded.

“The law said we’re having to do it, and we’re just continuing to deal with it,” Doyle said. “I’ll try to keep everyone informed if anything changes on it…the way the law is written, it says that we’re responsible for them.”

Miller requested that the court look at options for addressing the matter in the future, a concern shared by other magistrates.

“The concern that I had is that they’re here illegally, and it’s the federal government that’s leaving the borders open, and so I want to know where their penny up is to take care of that,” Miller said. “It wouldn’t be a problem if we didn’t have that, or it would be a lot less chance of a problem.”

Magistrate Robert Blanton also spoke about the issue in a broader context.

“It’s not just for illegals, it’s for any prisoner that [is] waiting on a court date,” Blanton said. “The answer, obviously, is to have something [in place] where the court system has to adjudicate them.”