Thread: 31 New York Counties now I.C.E. Secure Communities UPDATED

Counties in New York Activate Secure Communities

By Sarah Kate Kramer &bull
1/11/11

As of today, Secure Communities is no longer an abstract cloud hovering over immigrants in New York State, it is a tangible reality in two counties close to New York City. Rockland and Putnam are the first two counties to activate the program since New York entered the program in May 2010.

Secure Communities is a data-sharing program between local law enforcement agencies and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). A press release issued after Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith signed the agreement with ICE said the initiative would make Putnam County a safer place to live.

The Putnam Sheriff’s office explained the process as follows: “each person of questionable citizenship committed to the Putnam County Correctional Facility (will) be immediately reported to ICE for investigation. This notification is made by email and telephone upon a suspect’s entry into the jail. This is followed by a weekly report sent to ICE.â€