Wednesday, June 8 Hodgson To Implement ‘Secure Communities’ With Or Without Gov.’s Support

Hodgson To Implement ‘Secure Communities’ With Or Without Gov.’s Support
Launched in 2008 – the Secure Communities program runs the names and fingerprints of everyone arrested through federal immigration and criminal databases. The purpose is to make sure that offenders who are in this country illegally, especially violent criminals, are detained and deported. But the program has been highly controversial. Critics argue that it discourages immigrants from reporting crimes, that it’s disproportionately being used against those whose offenses are minor, that most of the people being deported under the program are not criminals. This week, Gov. Deval Patrick learned the program was voluntary and announced Massachusetts would opt-out. The Obama Administration and Department of Homeland Security – which want to impose the program nationwide by 2013 – bit back – saying they would overrule Patrick’s decision. Bristol County Sheriff Tom Hodgson – who wrote a letter to the Patrick administration yesterday explaining why he intends to implement Secure Communities – with or without the Governor’s approval – joins us. We’ll also hear from Richard Chacon, who is the director of the Massachusetts Office of Immigrants and Refugees.