Secure Communities Initiative

The Secure Communities Initiative was a U.S. immigration enforcement program designed to identify and deport undocumented immigrants who had been arrested for crimes. Launched in 2008, it linked local law enforcement agencies with federal immigration authorities, allowing police to check the immigration status of individuals taken into custody. While proponents argued it enhanced public safety by removing dangerous individuals, critics raised concerns about issues like racial profiling and the separation of families. The program aimed to balance community safety with enforcement of immigration laws, but it sparked significant debate about its effectiveness and fairness.