Important Community Meeting--Secure Communities

On Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 6:30 PM at the Columbus Academy (corner Grand Ave and Blatchley St)  the Human Services Committee of the Board of Aldermen will hold a public hearing on the federal DHS/ICE Secure Communities program and the affect of the program on New Haven residents.

Secure Communities compels local law enforcement agencies and personnel to aid in the deportation of immigrants, even non-dangerous, non-violent persons who do not fit federal immigration priorities. The unilateral implementation of the program in Connecticut by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will adversely affect New Haven and the State.

Countless experts in law enforcement have expressed concerns about the negative impact Secure Communities will have on community policing. The unilateral implementation of Secure Communities in New Haven will effectively invalidate General Order 06-02, which limits police questioning regarding immigration issues and routine enforcement of civil immigration laws, and disregard what has been a right and prerogative of local government: to decide for itself how to ensure public safety for all its residents and practice effective policing.

Secure Communities will effectively transform every police officer into an immigration agent, undermining confidence and trust in law enforcement and making everyone less safe.

Please join in on the debate and make your voice heard before your local legislative body on a program which will affect New Haven residents.