Tuesday, May 3, 2011

"Secure Communities" - what's it mean?

The article in the Northwest Herald was short. Maybe readers passed it up because of the headline, "Calif. may let locals opt out of immigration checks."

But the last part was about Illinois...

California might stop checking the immigration status of someone who is arrested. And apparently Illinois lawmakers are considering the same thing, which could halt a program that links up the FBI's criminal database with Homeland Security's records.

Should a cross-check be made every time someone is arrested? No problem, if the person arrested is in the USA legally. But, what if he is not? Then the McHenry County Jail is likely to pick up another guest at the rack rate of approximately $90/day. And the person is likely to be the sheriff's guest for 2-6 weeks, since nothing happens really fast when ICE is involved.

Bonds with ICE are full-cash bonds. If the judge says $5,000 to get out, you post the whole $5,000. There is no such thing as showing up with 10%.

Got an opinion about tossing the "Secure Communities" program out of Illinois? While you are thinking about it, how do you think you would be treated in Mexico or Brazil or France or Iraq, if you were there illegally? Call your legislator this week, while you can still make a difference.

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