In one of his last days in office, Governor Paterson entered into an agreement meant to clarify the purpose of the New York Secure Communities program.
Secure Communities is a federal program that requires local police to share the fingerprints of everyone arrested with immigration officials. The purpose of Secure Communities is to remove dangerous convicted felons from the United States. Unfortunately, statistics show that the program has lead to many nonviolent, non-felons being removed from the United States.
Governor Paterson’s latest agreement was meant to ensure that a proper balance was reached between personal liberties and secure societies. In signing the agreement Gov. Paterson meant to emphasis that the program is meant to only remove convicted and dangerous felons.