Sedgwick County first Kansas Secure Community

[JohnDoe2]

I.C.E. News Release

December 21, 2010
Wichita, KS

Sedgwick County first in Kansas to benefit from ICE strategy to use biometrics to identify and remove aliens convicted of a crime

WICHITA, Kan. - On Tuesday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) began using a new biometric information-sharing capability in Sedgwick County that helps federal immigration officials identify aliens, both lawfully and unlawfully present in the United States, who are booked into local law enforcement's custody for a crime. This capability is part of Secure Communities - ICE's comprehensive strategy to improve and modernize the identification and removal of criminal aliens from the United States.

Previously, fingerprint-based biometric records were taken of individuals charged with a crime and booked into custody and checked for criminal history information against the Department of Justice's (DOJ) Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS). Now, through enhanced information sharing between DOJ and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), fingerprint information submitted through the state to the FBI will be automatically checked against both the FBI criminal history records in IAFIS and the biometrics-based immigration records in DHS's Automated Biometric Identification System (IDENT).

If fingerprints match those of someone in DHS's biometric system, the new automated process notifies ICE. ICE evaluates each case to determine the individual's immigration status and takes appropriate enforcement action. This includes aliens who are in lawful status and those who are present without lawful authority. Once identified through fingerprint matching, ICE will respond with a priority placed on aliens convicted of the most serious offenses first-such as those with convictions for major drug offenses, murder, rape and kidnapping.

"The Secure Communities strategy provides ICE with an effective tool to identify criminal aliens in local custody," said Secure Communities Assistant Director David Venturella. "Enhancing public safety is at the core of ICE's mission. Our goal is to use biometric information sharing to remove criminal aliens, preventing them from being released back into the community, with little or no additional burden on our law enforcement partners."

With the expansion of the biometric information-sharing capability to Sedgwick County, ICE is using this capability in 865 communities in 35 states. By 2013, ICE plans to be able to respond nationwide to all fingerprint matches generated through IDENT/IAFIS interoperability.

"One of the best tools in law enforcement is that of communication," stated Colonel Michael Stover, Undersheriff of Sedgwick County. "If we can utilize the latest technology to quickly share information, then we will be more successful in identifying criminals, thus making our communities safer."

Since ICE began using this enhanced information sharing capability in October 2008, immigration officers have removed from the United States more than 54,500 aliens convicted of a crime. ICE does not regard aliens charged with, but not yet convicted of crimes, as "criminal aliens." Instead, a "criminal alien" is an alien convicted of a crime. In accordance with the Immigration and Nationality Act, ICE continues to take action on aliens subject to removal as resources permit.

The IDENT system is maintained by DHS's US-VISIT program and IAFIS is maintained by the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS).

"US-VISIT is proud to support ICE, helping provide decision makers with comprehensive, reliable information when and where they need it," said US-VISIT Director Robert Mocny. "By enhancing the interoperability of DHS's and the FBI's biometric systems, we are able to give federal, state and local decision makers information that helps them better protect our communities and our nation."

"Under this plan, ICE will be utilizing FBI system enhancements that allow improved information sharing at the state and local law enforcement level based on positive identification of incarcerated criminal aliens," said Daniel D. Roberts, assistant director of the FBI's CJIS Division. "Additionally, ICE and the FBI are working together to take advantage of the strong relationships already forged between the FBI and state and local law enforcement necessary to assist ICE in achieving its goals."

For more information about how ICE is using biometrics to identify aliens convicted of a crime, visit http://www.ice.gov/secure_communities.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security.

ICE is a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities. For more information, visit www.ICE.gov. To report suspicious activity, call 1-866-347-2423.

U.S. Dept of Homeland Security

http://www.ice.gov/news/releases/1012/101221wichita.htm

[uniteasone]

Wichita is a Sanctuary City and loaded with illegals and is in the heart of Sedgwick County.

[JohnDoe2]

Sedgwick County first in Kansas to biometrically ID immigrants

The Associated Press

WICHITA | U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement says Sedgwick County is the first jurisdiction in Kansas to use biometrics to identify immigrants who are in custody for suspected crimes.

ICE says it began using a biometric information sharing capability known as Secure Communities on Tuesday in Sedgwick County. The system quickly identifies both legal and illegal immigrants in local custody.

The new automated process notifies ICE if fingerprints match. ICE says it will prioritize for removal from the United States those convicted of serious offenses involving drugs, murder, rape and kidnapping.

Sedgwick County joins 868 jurisdictions in 35 states participating in Secure Communities. The program is expected to be in use nationwide by 2013.

Posted on Tue, Dec. 21, 2010 02:43 PM

http://www.kansascity.com/2010/12/21/25 ... z19TH2PjTX

[magyart]

Wichita is a Sanctuary City and loaded with illegals and is in the heart of Sedgwick County.

The Sheriff for sure, and most likely the Wichita city PD will now report all those arrested to the FBI and ICE. It's a seamless, automatic process.
The city and no county, in the state, may "opt out".