A program that gives federal immigration officials access to the fingerprints of undocumented immigrants booked into local jails will start Tuesday across New York state despite staunch opposition from advocates and lawmakers, including Gov. Andrew Cuomo, reports the Wall Street Journal. New York City and 30 other jurisdictions will join the 31 communities that already have the program in place, including Suffolk, Nassau and Westchester counties.
Asked about the program, New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said “we prefer that they not do that here.” “The federal government’s position is that it’s required under the law and they’re doing it,” he continued. “We’re obviously complying.” Secure Communities aims at identifying and deporting illegal immigrants who are convicted of crimes. But critics say it has resulted in the deportation of thousands of people who are accused of crimes but not convicted, and erodes the trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement.