John Morton, ICE Assistant Director Late Friday afternoon in a conference call with reporters, ICE unveiled a list of reforms to its controversial “Secure Communities” program. “We are listening to what people have said, what various state officials and community officials have raised, and we’re tyring to address those concerns head on,” said John Morton, ICE Assistant Secretary. “The announcements we are making today are on the whole effective immediately.” But... Read More

Obama’s flagship immigration enforcement program faced criticism from coast to coast on Tuesday.  First The New York Times ran an editorial titled “Resistance Grows” that supported Massachusetts for joining Illinois and New York in rejecting Secure Communities. “We welcome the votes of no-confidence in Secure Communities,” read the NYT op-ed. “The message is clear and growing louder: Mr. Obama and the homeland security secretary, Janet Napolitano,... Read More

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick has become the latest state official to decide not to sign his state up for the Secure Communities program after months of stalling on the decision. In a letter written by Massachusetts Public Safety Secretary Mary Beth Heffernan on behalf of Gov. Patrick, Heffernan wrote that the Secure Communities program does not meets its objectives of targeting serious criminals, stating that only 1 in 4 of those deported in Boston’s pilot participation... Read More

After a day of rumors that New York state may pull out of Pres. Obama’s flagship immigration enforcement program, Gov. Andrew Cuomo made it official this afternoon. “There are concerns about the implementation of [Secure Communities] as well as its impact on families, immigrant communities and law enforcement in New York,” Cuomo said in a press release. “As a result, New York is suspending its participation in the program.” Cuomo also sent a letter... Read More