The Washington Post article, U.S. to Expand Immigration Checks to All Local Jails, states that the Obama administration will expand the Secure Communities Program currently being implemented in Fairfax County, to all jails nationwide. By doing so, we can once and for all accurately determine the number of crimes committed by undocumented immigrants that are non-immigration related. I believe, Prince William County’s data will prove to be a reliable indicator of what the results would prove nationally, with misdeamenor crimes like driving without a license being the primary offense committed.
Drawbacks to these types of programs include an apprehension among immigrants, legal or not to report crimes out of concern that their immigration status could somehow be put in jeopordy, including the possibility that legal permanent residents could lose their status for minor criminal offenses.
This program combined with the continued construction of the fence, the revival of the vitual fence project indicate the administrations willingness and ability to address the issue, and hopefully, sooner rather than later will require those otherwise lawfully residing immigrants an opportunity to adjust their status.
