Immigration program foes in Wash. seek local help

Immigration program foes in Wash. seek local help
Immigrant rights groups are lobbying King County officials to stop holding suspected illegal immigrants in county jails to challenge a mandatory federal program.

By MANUEL VALDES
Associated Press
seattletimes.nwsource.com
Sunday, May 13, 2012 at 10:47 AM

SEATTLE —

Immigrant rights groups are lobbying King County officials to stop holding suspected illegal immigrants in county jails to challenge a mandatory federal program.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's "Secure Communities" was fully activated in Washington state last month. The program has been almost fully activated nationwide, despite protests from some state governors.

ICE says the program helps keep illegal immigrants with criminal records off the streets.

Foes say the program say to racial profiling and lands too many people without criminal records or low level crimes, like traffic infractions, in detention. They also say that it leads people to fear local police departments and hurts public trust.

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