Mayor against immigration enforcement

WTNH TV

Updated: Dec 13, 2011 7:22 PM

New Haven, Conn. (WTNH) — On Tuesday, Mayor John DeStefano said a federal illegal immigration enforcement program is a bad idea for the Elm City.

It's a topic that's stirred up a lot of controversy in New Haven in the past, as living underneath the American flag means different things to different people.  

"I think it's a desire for the parents, to have a good future for their family," said Eliseo Aponte. "We're told America is a good place to do that."

New Haven Pastor Eliseo Aponte sees that appreciation for freedom from his flock on a weekly basis. And that thirst and enjoyment for freedom should not be interrupted by a local police department, says DeStefano.

"Secure Communities would destroy an essential element of trust," DeStefano said.

Secure Communities is a U.S. Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or "ICE," program that utilizes local police departments involving illegal immigration. Fingerprints of people booked by police are checked in a national database for immigration violations. DeStefano and many other community leaders believe it unfairly targets a certain demographic.

ICE officials say under the Secure Communities initiative, the number of convicted criminals deported has risen 89 percent, while those removed without criminal convictions has dropped by 29 percent. They're hoping every law enforcement body will participate in this program by 2013, but those numbers mean nothing to the local police.

Our department is interested in delivering and ensuring a save environment," said Lt. Louis Casanova, New Haven Police Department, "not to instill fear in the members of our community."

Pastor Aponte, a native of Puerto Rico, knows about fear, he says many of those in his congregation were afraid to leave their houses after a federal New Haven immigration sweep in 2007.  

"I believe the way they did that wasn't fair," said Aponte.

An ICE officials tells News 8 a jurisdiction can not opt out of the program.

According to ICE, state and local police do not, and are not, authorized to enforce immigration law. ICE is looking for criminals and repeat immigration violators.
    
A public hearing on the issue is tomorrow, Wednesday night at the Christopher Columbus Family Academy.

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