Washington, DC — Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick recently joined a growing list of governors who have suspended their state’s participation in Secure Communities, an immigrant deportation program. As is, the program does not live up to its name, and in effect compromises public safety by increasing tension between police and community members, and deterring witnesses to crime and others from working with law enforcement. Eliseo Medina, International Secretary-Treasurer of the Service Employees International Union, issued the following statement:

“Governor Patrick’s decision to suspend Secure Communities in Massachusetts should signal to the Administration that the program falls far short of providing the security it promises. The program perpetuates a fear of law enforcement among residents, leading to unreported crime. New York, Illinois, and Massachusetts have already suspended participation in the program until it is reformed.

We urge the Administration to make critical changes to the program so that it will fulfill its purpose of ridding communities of dangerous criminals, rather than separating families because of low-level offenses. States and local communities should be able to opt out of the program should it not prove effective for their residents. In addition, application of the program should only be limited to individuals who are convicted of serious crimes. An enforcement-only approach on those with low-level offenses drains resources and erodes trust between residents and law enforcement.

Without these changes, an increasing number of localities will be sure to follow the lead of Massachusetts, New York, and Illinois. Hopefully, Governor Patrick’s decision will serve as a catalyst for change in the program’s application.”

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