Uncategorized
|
2008
Secure Communities Program (S-COMM)
The Secure Communities Program expanded Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s ability to detain suspected undocumented immigrants.
S-COMM allowed ICE to place a “detainer” on suspected undocumented immigrants. A “detainer” is a request from ICE to a jail to hold a person for up to 48 hours beyond the scheduled release date so that ICE can take them into custody and initiate deportation proceedings. The Bush administration launched the pilot S-COMM program in 2008, with 14 jurisdictions participating. In 2011, the Obama administration had expanded the program to 1,210 jurisdictions. ICE divided noncitizen prisoners into three categories:
- Level 1: Those convicted of serious crimes, such as homicide, kidnapping, robbery, major drug offenses with sentences longer than one year, and offenses involving threats to national security.
- Level 2: All other felonies.
- Level 3: Misdemeanors and lesser crimes.
Current Events
Explore how the past impacts current events today
Texas Border Wall
After former President Trump left office, Texas Governor Greg Abbott vowed to continue a Trump Administration policy of building a wall along his state’s border with Mexico. The move sparked intense controversy and has faced both political and legal challenges.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Since its establishment, ICE has become an important aspect of federal immigration policy. However, in recent years, some have criticized the scope of the agency’s power as too broad.