Illinois drops federal immigrant screening program

[May 05, 2011]  CHICAGO (AP) -- Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn says his state will pull out of a controversial federal program that automatically checks the immigration status of arrestees.

Quinn sent U.S. Immigration and Customs and Enforcement a letter Wednesday saying Illinois is withdrawing from Secure Communities because it's "flawed." The letter says Illinois State Police will no longer help facilitate the program.

Under Secure Communities, the FBI shares fingerprints with the Department of Homeland Security to check arrestees' immigration status automatically. The idea was to remove individuals convicted of serious crimes who are living in the U.S. illegally. Forty-two states participate.

Illinois' action means no new counties can participate and makes it difficult for the 26 counties in the program to continue.

Quinn says many of those deported through the program haven't committed serious crimes.

[Associated Press]

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