Mass. immigrants: Secure Communities erodes trust
Mass. immigrants: Secure Communities erodes trust
The Associated Press
BOSTON —
Immigrant advocates are protesting the decision by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to launch a federal program aimed at identifying illegal immigrants arrested for crimes.
The activists say the Secure Communities program seriously erodes immigrant trust in the police, encourages officers to engage in racial profiling, and erodes civil liberties.
They also said the program contradicts the Obama administration's announced intention to focus immigration enforcement on serious criminals.
The advocates, including the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, plan to hold a press conference in Boston on Thursday.
Gov. Deval Patrick also opposes the Secure Communities program.
Massachusetts Public Safety Secretary Mary Beth Heffernan said the program will have no practical effect on how Massachusetts handles fingerprints and information sharing with federal law enforcement agencies.
source: Mass. immigrants: Secure Communities erodes trust | www.krmg.com
Report Challenges Attack on Secure Communities -- Finds No Racial Profiling
