Task Force Critical of Secure Communities Program

WNYC News
Saturday, September 17, 2011
By Mirela Iverac

But data showed that low level offenders, as well as those without criminal convictions, were getting caught up in the program.

Most significantly, the Task Force on Secure Communities recommended ICE not pursue individuals, identified through Secure Communities, for arrests based on minor traffic offenses, and ensure that victims of domestic violence, as well as victims of crime or witnesses, who come to the agency’s attention through the program, are protected.

Rally Against the Secure Communities Program in Front of Governor Cuomo's Office in May (Mirela Iverac/WNYC)

A task force created to recommend improvements to a federal immigration program presented a critical report this week, saying the program, Secure Communities, has had an "adverse impact" on community policing and caused confusion at the state and local level.

"To the extent that Secure Communities may damage community policing, the result can be greater levels of crime," the report said. "If residents do not trust their local police, they are less willing to step forward as witnesses to or victims of crime."

Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security, rolled out the Secure Communities program in October 2008. It aimed at removing serious criminal offenders from the country. But data showed that low level offenders, as well as those without criminal convictions, were getting caught up in the program.

Most significantly, the Task Force on Secure Communities recommended ICE not pursue individuals, identified through Secure Communities, for arrests based on minor traffic offenses, and ensure that victims of domestic violence, as well as victims of crime or witnesses, who come to the agency’s attention through the program, are protected.

The released report stated that “several Task Force members noted that whether the program is mandatory is subject to different interpretationsâ€