DHS to Expand Controversial Se Communities Program

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano defended the budgetary request to complete the enlargement of the controversial Se Communities program as part of “smart and effective enforcement of U.S. immigration laws.” She outlined Department of Homeland Security priorities for the 2013 fiscal year during an appearance before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security. Napolitano said DHS’ 2013 budget “includes funding to complete nationwide deployment” of the Se Communities program in fiscal 2013, which ends Sept. 30, 2013. – Fox News Latino 03.10.2012

Immigration rights groups urge FBI advisory board to end Se Communities

In light of Justice Department investigations of civil rights violations at some local police departments in the last few months, view a coalition of immigration rights groups has asked an FBI policy advisory board to eliminate the controversial Se Communities biometric identification program. The March 8 letter was sent by groups, including the Center for Constitutional Rights, National Day Labor Organizing Network (NDLON), Muslim Legal Fund of America, and more than 75 other groups, to the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services Division. The groups said the FBI’s APB Working Groups meetings coming up in August as should consider the Arizona and Connecticut investigations in deciding how to proceed with the program. – Government Security News 03.10.2012