by DC Jobs with Justice | Jun 5, 2012 | Press, Projects, Trabajadores Unidos de DC / United Workers of DC
For Immediate Release Contact: Sarahi Uribe, NDLON, 202.285.9673 sarahi@ndlon.org Community Applauds DC Council for Passing Emergency Detainer Compliance Act on Day of S-Comm Activation Washington DC Maintains Bright Line Between Police and Wrongful Deportation Policies June 05, 2012. Washington, DC. The Washington, DC Council was praised by a wide coalition of community, faith, and labor organizations for passing the Immigration Detainer Compliance Emergency Amendment Act in response to today’s federally imposed activation of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s controversial “Secure Communities” deportation program. The act, which was introduced by Councilmember Mendelson, will limit Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s use of District facilities and equipment and also narrows S-Comm’s deportation dragnet by only responding to immigration detention requests for individuals who are over 18 and have been convicted of a dangerous crime. Last fall the permanent version of the act, the Immigration Detainer Compliance Amendment, was unanimously co-sponsored by all DC councilmembers. The act builds upon the Mayor’s Order 2011-174 (October 19, 2011) that prohibits all public safety agencies from inquiring about individuals’ immigration status or transmitting information about immigration status. Sarahi Uribe of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network says, “We’re proud to live in a city with a bright line guarding against unjust deportation policies that erode trust, divide our communities, and endanger our families. DC has joined a growing trend of local governments that care about protecting the safety and rights of their residents. When DHS Secretary Napolitano spread S-Comm throughout the country, it triggered a movement that is growing stronger by the day to resist and overcome the criminalization of immigrants.” Paromita Shah of National Immigration Project says,...
