Immigrants' Rights
Mayor, D.C. Council Take Bold Steps To Secure D.C.'s Immigrant Community
November 21, 2011Described as a Hero by those he has helped, Jai Shankar, father of a ten year old, has lived in America for 20 years. His son is a citizen. He is not. When his friend’s camera was stolen, Jai called the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. Instead of seeking out the thief, the Police questioned Jai, determined he was out of status and held him for ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). After more than five months of incarceration and two years of wearing an ankle bracelet, a cloud of deportation remains over his head. Last year, America set a new record for deportations, sending 400,000 to uncertain fates; breaking up families; separating children from their parents; making those exposed reluctant to cooperate with the police, even when facing domestic violence at home.
The Department of Homeland Security recently changed course for its failed Secure Communities Program. After rejections by state and local governments, the Department has unilaterally abandoned its so-called “voluntary” program and declared it a “mandatory” program. Those powers ordinarily reserved to the states are apparently being taken by the federal government. When the “voluntary” program was launched, Washington, D.C. was the first in the nation to reject it. Illinois, Massachusetts, New York and others followed. Under the new “mandatory” program, immigrants, like Jai, who have committed no crime or have committed a minor offense can be held for ICE, without ever having been convicted of anything.
The affects of the mandatory Secure Communities Program was the subject of a Forum held recently at the UDC-David A. Clarke School of Law and co-hosted by the ACLU of the Nation’s Capital. View pictures and learn more »
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- Topics: Featured, Immigrants' Rights, News & Events
ACLU Commends Mayor for New Guidelines on D.C. Government and Immigrants: Treat Everyone Alike and Leave Immigration Enforcement to the Federal Government
October 21, 2011Johnny Barnes, Executive Director of the ACLU of the Nation’s Capital, said today, “We’re pleased D.C. remains uninvolved in the Secure Communities program of the federal immigration agency. The Mayor’s order issued Wednesday makes clear that law enforcement here will treat all residents equally. Anything else fatally endangers the District government’s relationship with immigrant communities.”
ACLU joined with others in testifying last year against involvement in the program. Dramatic accounts by immigrant women, especially, showed the Council the high cost when police are required, by programs such as Secure Communities, to approach immigrants with suspicion. The witnesses said they were simply unlikely to report crimes.
Barnes added, “It’s clear immigration enforcement should remain a federal responsibility. The ACLU affiliates around the nation have challenged efforts to deputize local officers, and to pass local versions of immigration laws as Arizona and others have done; both are ill advised. D.C. has taken the right path: with the Council’s leadership several years ago, reaffirmed now by the Mayor.”
Immigrants’ Rights
September 05, 2010Upholding the rights of the politically disenfranchised is vital; when the government has the power to deny legal rights and due process to one group of people, it puts all of our rights in danger. The ACLU is one of the nation's leading advocates for the rights of immigrants, refugees, and non-citizens by challenging unconstitutional laws and practices and countering the myths upon which many anti-immigrant laws are based.
View the Secure Communities D.C. Council Testimony.
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- Topics: Issues, Immigrants' Rights
Fenty Seeks to Turn over Certain D.C. Info to ICE so Feds Will Deport Some D.C. Residents
September 01, 2010Making All D.C. Folk Safer by Encouraging Community Cooperation with Police without Fear of Deportation
The ACLU of the Nation's Capital testified in support of Bill 18-795, which prohibits the District of Columbia government from participating in the so-called “Secure Communities” program of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE). Some call the program the "LessSecure Communities" program because that's actually what the program produces. LessSecure Communities causes tangible harm to individual arrestees and to the community at large.
