Breaking: Colorado Governor Ritter Breaks Promise, Will Sign Secure Communities - Page 2
In the past, federal and local police agencies had different roles. The federal police, including ICE, were responsible for federal criminals plus the enforcement of immigration laws. Local police stayed out of immigration enforcement so that all persons, including undocumented immigrants, would have confidence in approaching local law enforcement in the event a crime was committed. It is presumed criminals are indiscriminate, preying upon undocumented workers one day and US citizens the next.
History is the best predictor of the future. ICE has a vicious reputation of misusing the Secure Communities system. Rather than focusing on criminal aliens with serious convictions, the program has been used to nab immigrants with minor criminal convictions as well as some immigrants that have no convictions at all. When ICE created the program, they failed to create any type of oversight on it’s use.
In addition, when local policing forces view themselves as part of the immigration enforcement scheme, they may create reasons to arrest suspected undocumented workers to check them against the system. In the process, US citizens will suffer unfair police stops and detentions under racial profiling and pre-textual arrests. Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio has been alleged to use aggressive tactics such as these.
According to a Denver Post article, Ritter wishes to implement Secure Communities but place restrictions on how the program can be used. Since it is up to each police agency to implement the program, such restrictions won't likely be enforceable.
The Colorado Immigrant’s Rights Coalition (CIRC) has been active in encouraging member organizations to oppose the law. Gov. Ritter initially was receptive to Latino concerns. However, as he prepares to leave office, he has made a decision to ignore the Latino community in Colorado. CIRC plans a press conference at 10:00 a.m. today.
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