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Council decries city's data-sharing agreement with ICE
Councilman Jim Kenney told City Paper that he believes Secure Communities is "un-American." He continued, "They say they're rooting out the criminal elements, the terrorist elements, but really they're rooting out poor, innocent people."
Council decries city's data-sharing agreement with ICE
In a resolution yesterday, City Council decried the city's involvement in the federal Secure Communities program, which requires that Philadelphia police hand over the fingerprints of everyone they arrest to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the FBI.
All 17 Councilpersons voted for the non-binding resolution, which urges the city to end the agreement when it is up for renewal on August 31. That decision will ultimately be up to the Nutter administration.
Though Secure Communities — used by other state and local police throughout the country — was billed by ICE as a way to rid the U.S. of criminals, a study recently showed that 61 percent of the immigrants deported from Philly with this program had no criminal record whatsoever. Meanwhile, 82 percent were either non-criminals or low-level offenders. Studies have revealed similar statistics throughout the country.
Supporters of Secure Communities argue that states and cities that are refusing to participate in the program — like New York and Massachusetts — are threatening the safety of their citizens. But critics argue that instead of fighting crime, Secure Communities has actually led to immigrants avoiding police when they are victims of crimes, witnesses or potential informants.
Councilman Jim Kenney told City Paper that he believes the program is "un-American." He continued, "They say they're rooting out the criminal elements, the terrorist elements, but really they're rooting out poor, innocent people."
Will someone please remind out city council that there are laws in this country that need to be enforced, not matter how you personally feel or how many votes it will mean to you to keep you stranglehold on the welfare of this city.— crystalrainbowspirit1- Here we go again, City Council breaking more laws. Do we really need more illegal immigrants in Philly? They just continue to suck all resources from law abiding citizens. Get rid of them like the law calls for!— Taxpaying Voter
- Kenny unfortunately showing the increasing American elected official trait of idiocy. Criminals or those arrested are being fingerprinted; not witnesses, not informants, not " poor innocent" people. DOPE!— oarsman
- He should stand up for American citizens instead and enforce our immigration laws. Another property tax hike to pay schooling for the illegals' baby boom - overpopulation is not GREEN. Lowering my property value because of sardined, unkept rental properties with load music. Oh yeah, thanks for adult bike riders on sidewalks and get out of their way, underground vices, taking of jobs Americans need & the non paying of child support. Paleeze stop the disservice to Philadelphians!— artlive
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