2 Mass. law agencies out of immigration program
October 1, 2009

BOSTON—Two Massachusetts law enforcement agencies have announced that they are no longer enrolled in a controversial program that allows them enforce federal immigration laws.

The Framingham police and the Barnstable County sheriff's department announced Thursday they were withdrawing from the federal program immigrant advocates said deterred immigrants from reporting crimes.

Framingham Chief Steven Carl said he was withdrawing because federal officials pressured the department to broaden its enforcement. He said federal officials wanted his department to detain immigrants, transport them and even testify in immigration court.

In Massachusetts, only the state's Department of Corrections is still enrolled in the program.

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