Tag: secure communities

A bill to force counties to participate in Secure Communities died in a Senate committee Monday. Opponents cited racism and opposition to forcing another unfunded mandate on rural counties.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement data received through a Freedom of Information Act request shows that Secure Communities, a federal immigration enforcement program, detains and deports people who are not criminals.

A bill to pull state funding from local communities if they choose not to participate in the federal Secure Communities program--called an immigration dragnet by some State Representatives and local community leaders--passed the House on second reading today.

Arizona continues to lead the nation in immigration reform. Monday, a Senate committee looked at a bill that could turn hospitals into immigration checkpoints.

A bill compelling local governments in Colorado to comply with the controversial federal Secure Communities program passed its first hurdle today on a 7-4 committee vote, with Rep. John Soper, D-Thornton, being the lone Democrat voting in favor of the bill.

Colorado State House Republicans targeting illegal immigration have another bill to rally around. Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial, Tuesday introduced a bill (pdf) that would cut state funding from cities refusing to participate with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement program called "Secure Communities." Balmer's bill also targets individual Coloradans who harbor or transport illegal immigrants.

As Colorado enters life with Secure Communities, Rhode Island exits stage left. Less than a day after taking office, Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chaffee signed an order getting the state out of E-Verify and other immigration programs.

Gov. Bill Ritter Monday signed an executive order for Colorado to participate in the controversial federal Secure Communities program. The program, which operates through the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE), is now in place in 35 states. Started by President George W. Bush in 2008, the program may be mandatory in all states by 2013. Governor-elect John Hickenlooper says he supports the measure.