Secure Communities Program Implemented in L.A. County Jails
August 28, 2009 – 8:35 am
Began in last fall, the Secure Communities program that already has nearly 80 counties as members including Ventura and San Diego, is set be implemented in Los Angeles County. Under Secure Communities, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) identify and remove criminal aliens using biometric identification technologies. If implemented, all inmates booked into jails throughout Los Angeles County will have their immigration status checked. However, federal officials said they do not have the resource to deport all illegal immigrants with criminal records who are identified. Concurring with federal officials’ claims during his recent visit to Los Angeles, ICE Head John Morton said, “The reality of the situations is that we don’t presently have the resources to respond to every single person. “He further added, “We are focusing on the worst of the worst.”
The government plans to have the Secure Communities program up and running in all jails and prisons by the end of 2013. The program is seen as part of administration’s focus on targeting illegal immigrants who have criminal records. Statistics released shows nationwide, about 12% of all inmates checked were here illegally and had prior criminal convictions. Of those, about 6,700 had been convicted of violent crimes, another roughly 60,000 had other criminal convictions.
For complete information, please click L.A. County Inmates to have Immigration Status Checked
Sphere: Related Content