Today, Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) announced that New York will “suspend” its participation in the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) controversial Secure Communities program.
The Secure Communities program is supposed to catch and deport undocumented immigrants convicted of serious crimes. It’s a program that we could support if only it accomplished its intended goal, which it doesn’t.
So amid mounting evidence that the program does more harm than good, Gov. Cuomo decided to reevaluate the value of the program for his state. Via the press release from Governor Cuomo’s office:
“There are concerns about the implementation of the program as well as its impact on families, immigrant communities and law enforcement in New York,” Governor Cuomo said. “As a result, New York is suspending its participation in the program.”
In a letter to DHS, Governor Cuomo’s administration stated that information produced thus far has called into question – at both the federal and state levels – the implementation and intended effect of the Secure Communities program.
Governor Cuomo’s office has also received complaints stating that the goals of the program were not being met. The questions raised are further aggravated by inconsistent statements by DHS and a failure to disclose basic information about the program.
The decision by the Governor received support from a strong contigent of law enforcement professionals from across New York, including the New York State Police Benevolent Association, the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police and the New York State Sheriffs Association.
You can read a copy of the letter from Counsel to the Governor, Mylan Denerstein, to the Department of Homeland Security here.
