Another event planned on Mass. immigration checks

April 16, 2011

WALTHAM, Mass.—State officials are hosting another community meeting with immigrant advocates over a controversial federal program that checks the immigration status of people who are arrested.

The community meeting on the program known as "Secure Communities" is scheduled Saturday in Waltham.

Gov. Deval Patrick called on state officials to hold a number of meetings on the program after facing criticism from immigrant advocates over his plans to join the federal program.

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement program allows arrestees' fingerprint information to be checked against FBI criminal history records and biometrics-based immigration records kept by the Department of Homeland Security.

Opponents say it would discourage immigrants from reporting crimes while encouraging police to practice racial profiling.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massac ... on_checks/