Feds to Launch Secure Communities Program in MA

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has notified state officials that they plan to launch the federal Secure Communities program in Massachusetts over the objections of Governor Deval Patrick and immigration activists.  WAMC’s Tristan O’Neill reports…

Massachusetts Public Safety Secretary Mary Beth Heffernan described Secure Communities as an information sharing program between federal agencies that can only be implemented by the federal government.

Heffernan said the program will have no practical effect on how Massachusetts handles fingerprints and information sharing. She said the state already sends all fingerprints to the federal government and that practice will continue.

Patrick has opposed the program saying it runs a serious risk of ethnic profiling and fracturing important relationships necessary for law enforcement

Supporters, including U.S. Senator Scott Brown, say the program is important to help identify illegal immigrants arrested for crimes.

Tristan O’Neill, WAMC News. 

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