New York State drops out of Secure Communities

immigration seal
(image: New Mexico Independent)

Saying that it just isn’t working, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday that New York State will no long participate in Secure Communities.

The controversial program–which Colorado participates in–is supposed to make it easier to identify and deport illegal immigrants who commit crimes. In practice, many communities find that the program is ineffective, can lead to racial profiling and discourages immigrants from reporting crimes.

From The Wall Street Journal:

“There are concerns about the implementation of the program as well as its impact on families, immigrant communities and law enforcement in New York,” he (Cuomo) said. “As a result, New York is suspending its participation in the program.”

Started under former President George W. Bush in 2008, opposition to the program has been growing nationwide. Illinois quit the program last month, more than a year after suspending its participation. Meanwhile, other states — among them Washington and Minnesota — have declined to join the program.

Scot Kersgaard has been managing editor of a political newspaper, editor and co-owner of a ski town newspaper, executive editor of eight high-tech magazines (where he worked with current Apple CEO Tim Cook), deputy press secretary to a U.S. Senator, and an outdoors columnist at the Rocky Mountain News. He has an English degree from the University of Washington. He was awarded a fellowship to study internet journalism at the University of Maryland's Knight Center for Specialized Journalism. He was student body president in college. He spends his free time hiking and skiing.

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