Supervisors say no to U.S. fingerprint check
June 9, 2010

San Francisco supervisors went on record Tuesday opposing the federal government's ''Secure Communities'' program in which the digital fingerprints of suspects booked at county jail are automatically sent to U.S. immigration authorities for review.

Those found to be in the country illegally could face deportation.

The national program, which already has been operating in more than 20 states and several Bay Area counties, was activated in San Francisco Tuesday over the objections of Sheriff Michael Hennessey.

He prefers sticking with the city's previous policy in which U.S. immigration officials only were notified when the immigration status of suspected felons could not be immediately verified. Secure Communities takes away that discretion from local law enforcement agencies.

Now, all suspects, including those booked for infractions and misdemeanors, as well as more serious felonies, will be included in the immigration background check.

On a 9-2 vote and with the backing of civil rights organizations, the Board of Supervisors approved a nonbinding resolution urging San Francisco sheriff, Police Department and Juvenile Probation Department to not participate in the program.

It is unclear whether local authorities have the legal authority to opt out. Voting against the resolution were Supervisors Sean Elsbernd and Carmen Chu. Mayor Gavin Newsom and state Attorney General Jerry Brown also oppose the board resolution. Even if Newsom were to veto the legislation, it passed with a veto-proof majority.


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