A FEW days ago, the Obama administration cancelled agreements that it signed with more than 40 states, under the Secure Communities program.
According to a copy of a letter obtained by the LA Times, the Department of Homeland Security notified governors on August 5 that the fingerprint-sharing program does not need their approval to operate, and that the cancellations will not affect the ability to check the immigration status of anyone whose fingerprints are in the FBI criminal database.
The letter, sent via email to offices of over 40 governors, read, “No agreement with the state is legally necessary for one part of the federal government to share it with another part ... . This change will have no effect on the operation of Secure Communities in your state.”
Under the fingerprint-sharing program, the FBI automatically sends fingerprints from local law enforcement agencies to US Immigration and Customs, in order for them to check a suspect’s immigration status.
The program is used in more than 1,400 jurisdictions, including the entire Southwest border area. But governors in California, Illinois, Massachusetts and several other states have expressed concern that the effort has ensnared minor offenders, as well as more serious criminals, and has deterred some victims from coming forward to aid police.
The LA Times reported that Homeland Security officials claimed that the fingerprint-sharing program has been highly successful.
Over the last three years, more than 77,000 immigrants convicted of crimes, including more than 28,000 convicted of offenses such as murder, rape and sexual abuse of children, were deported after they were identified through the Secure Communities program.
(www.asianjournal.com)
(LA Midweek Aug 10-12 Sec A pg. 5)
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