Texas to sue US on cost of aliens

WASHINGTON faces mounting pressure to control the United States-Mexican border as Texas announced last week it will sue the federal government over the cost of illegal immigrants.

Florida, California, and Arizona have already filed similar suits. New York and New Jersey are considering doing so.

Texas Attorney General Dan Morales says the suit will seek to recover the cost of education, health care, and other public services for 300,000 to 550,000 illegal immigrants in Texas.

President Clinton has already asked Congress for $350 million to compensate states for the cost of imprisoning immigrants who commit crimes. Gov. Ann Richards, who in January asked Mr. Morales to study the merits of a lawsuit, said, ``It is important to send Washington a message: Enforce your laws or pay up.''