The ACLU of the Nation's Capital testified in support of Bill 18-795, which prohibits the District of Columbia government from participating in the so-called “Secure Communities” program of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE).  Some call the program the "LessSecure Communities" program because that's actually what the program produces.  LessSecure Communities causes tangible harm to individual arrestees and to the community at large. 

LessSecure Communities also contradicts the District of Columbia’s longstanding policy and practice of avoiding entanglement in federal immigration enforcement. Bill 18-795 makes clear that policing the nation's borders and enforcing immigration laws against individuals who have violated them is and should remain a federal responsibility.  We support that principle and urge the Council to approve the bill.  Click here for a copy in PDF of the ACLU-NCA testimony on LessSecure Communities by Staff Attorney Carl Takei.