Community Forum on “Secure Communities”

“Secure Communities” is a federal program implemented in 2008 that allows state and local law enforcement to run fingerprints of detainees through immigration databases, which notify Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) even if the individual has not been convicted of a crime. ICE can then issue a detainer so that the jail holds the individual for 48 hours while ICE begins the deportation process.

The implementation of “Secure Communities” has negatively affected communities across the country. Champaign-Urbana is no exception. Although “Secure Communities” was advertised as an initiative to catch and deport serious and repeat criminals, it has instead led to the detainment and deportation of many non-criminal immigrants in our community. In fact, locally, over 70% of those arrested, detained, and deported are non-criminal immigrant neighbors in Champaign and Urbana.

On Thursday, December 1st at 7pm in the Champaign Public Library (200 W. Green Street, Champaign), the Champaign-Urbana Immigration Forum will host an event to discuss the realities of “Secure Communities” in Champaign County. Speakers will provide context on the program and its implementation as well as launch a report with detailed information regarding “Secure Communities” in Champaign County. Moreover, individuals with firsthand experience of “Secure Communities” enforcement in Champaign-Urbana will share their stories. Questions and comments from community members are encouraged.