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Jurisdictions in Suffolk May Be Some of the First To Test Secure Communities Program

Posted July 2, 2010 by Ted Hesson
Categories: New York, Categories: Suffolk

Earlier this week, Long Island Wins broke the news that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services had signed an agreement to bring the immigration enforcement program Secure Communities to jurisdictions across the state.

The program, which automatically sends the fingerprints of anyone arrested to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for an immigration check, has been criticized by advocates who say that it will boost wrongful deportations and sow fear of police within immigrant communities. Under the program, a person deemed in violation of immigration law can be deported after he or she is charged with a crime, even if that person is not convicted or tried.

This morning, The Wall Street Journal’s Sumathi Reddy covered the story in greater detail, including the news that jurisdictions in Suffolk County may be some of the first in the state to participate in the program.

Reddy reports:

In New York, the program to check inmates’ legal status will launch in communities based on risk—defined as the percentage of undocumented immigrants with criminal records—as well as interest from local law enforcement agencies. Its usage in other states has led to thousands of deportations.

About 30 jurisdictions have been initially identified to participate in the program, including several in the metropolitan area, said John M. Caher, a spokesman for the state’s Division of Criminal Justice Services. He said parts of Westchester and Suffolk counties may take part.

ICE says it has not determined what communities in New York will begin the checks first.

“We’re still doing outreach in New York state and that’s going to continue throughout July and August,” said Harold Ort, an ICE spokesman. “There is no activation of Secure Communities scheduled at this point.”

Some confusion has arisen as to whether the federal program is mandatory or not. In Reddy’s article, she quotes John M. Caher, a spokesman for the state’s Division of Criminal Justice Services as saying, “I don’t believe we’re requiring anyone to take part in it. I think it’s a local decision.”

However, Secure Communities has been implemented in San Francisco despite opposition from the city sheriff and the city legislature. With that in mind, New York City—where Mayor Bloomberg is generally considered a supporter of immigrant rights—may become a new battleground over the program.

Advocates in the city aren’t pleased by the prospect of the program coming to the Empire State, according to Reddy:

Still, immigration advocates said they were alarmed to hear that “Secure Communities” could soon be in parts of New York. “I think this kind of immigration enforcement expansion into local communities is just very counterproductive,” said Chung-Wha Hong, executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition. “I see this is as part of a dangerous trend of getting more and more non immigration entities getting involved in immigration enforcement. Where does it stop?” Some local officials withheld judgment.

“Without having reviewed the program, we can say generally that we believe coordination among the various levels of government is helpful in enhancing public safety,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy, who has taken a hard-line stance against illegal immigration in the past.

The New York Police Department is aware of the program but “it’s too early to say” if it’s something it will implement, said police spokesman Paul Browne. “We have to look at it.”

When I contacted a spokesperson from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, I was told that the program is implemented based on “risk.” But according to Reddy’s article, risk—“defined as the percentage of undocumented immigrants with criminal records”—is one factor, but “interest from local law enforcement agencies” is another.

The implication is that the program could be implemented in an area simply because the local enforcement agencies—in this case, jurisdictions in Suffolk County—decide that they want it.

Tags : deportations, ice, secure communities, steve levy, suffolk, sumathi reddy

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