Fatal Car Accident Sparks Debate Over Illegal Immigration

By Bianca Vázquez Toness
Sep 13, 2011, 6:52 AM

MILFORD, Mass. — Six communities around the state have asked to join a controversial federal fingerprinting program aimed at deporting illegal immigrants who have been charged with crimes. These jurisdictions want to join the program, called Secure Communities, before it becomes mandatory for all states in 2013. But one city isn’t waiting.

The town of Milford is small. The latest Census says 25,000 people live in this community off Interstate 495 near Hopkinton. Town officials estimate 2,000 of them are from Ecuador. The men work in roofing, the women in service jobs.

After A Fatal Car Accident, A Crackdown On Illegal Immigration

In the decade since they started coming here, these immigrants have lived more or less peacefully. But last month, an illegal immigrant from Ecuador was charged for allegedly driving drunk and killing a motorcyclist. Since then, Ecuadorians have been the target of a campaign to crack down on illegal immigrants.

“We have tremendous pain. It’s a situation in Milford that really has to change,â€