Although in the state of Florida it is now standard procedure that individuals being held in criminal custody will undergo a “hold” by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to the Associated Press, Florida has an improved system where they will be able to check fingerprints for each individual held in jail to obtain their immigration status. This is part of ICE’s program called “Secure Communities” put into place to increase the removal of illegals from the US.
The new fingerprint procedure will allow authorities to check the database of US Department of Homeland Security and within just a few hours, immigration officials will receive a notification about a specific individual being help in custody. The Immigration authorities will then be able to determine whether the individual is subject to deportation from the US.
Because this system uses fingerprints and not other data, individuals who are using a fake identity or who have been previously deported will be caught right away. In fact, since ICE began implementing this system in 2008, already over 31,000 individuals have been deported.
Florida is not the only state that is now quickly implementing this program. There are 22 other states that are now participating in the program and by 2013, this program will be implemented nationwide. This new program put into place by ICE is just more proof of the increased enforcement and prosecution of illegals in the US.
Again, the above program already put into place in Florida is just another sign that illegals will not be able to stay in the US and enjoy the previous privileges (i.e. getting their driver’s licenses renewed without any immigration status proof, working without authorization) that they used to enjoy now unless they legalize themselves. The unfortunate part is that most of these individuals would love to legalize themselves – if only the US would allow them! In any event, it is best for illegal individuals and individuals previously deported to AVOID committing any crimes on our soil, as when they are caught for the criminal act, Immigration authorities will not be far behind…