New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo suspended New York’s participation in the Federal Immigration Program-Secure Communities.
“There are concerns about the implementation of the program as well as its impact on families, immigrant communities and law enforcement in New York,” Mr. Cuomo said. Unless those concerns are eased, the statement said, New York will not take part.
Mr. Cuomo’s decision makes the second state to announce it’s intent to withdraw from the program, Governor Pat Quinn of Illinois announced in May that he was canceling their participation.
“Until the numerous questions and controversies regarding the program can be resolved, we have determined that New York is best served by relying on existing tools to ensure the safety of its residents, especially given our overriding concern that the current mechanism is actually undermining law enforcement,” Mr. Denerstein wrote to John Sandweg, counsel to Janet Napolitano, the homeland security secretary.
Secure Communities has lead to a rise in US deportations and immigrant advocates have called for the President to terminate the program.
