By: Ashmar Mandou
In a rigorous drive to put a stop to the “Secure Communities” program, the Illinois Coalition of Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) and the Latino Policy Forum have both organized rallies this past week to bring attention to an issue that leaves many families shattered and torn apart. On Tuesday, Aug. 16 advocates rallying against the program joined members of the Latino Policy Forum at the Prudential Plaza and applauded Governor Pat Quinn for his decision to pull Illinois entirely out of the program. The consecutive day members of ICIRR held a rally at the Haymarket monument alongside State Representatives Cynthia Soto and Cook County Commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia. ICIRR members released a letter to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to show united opposition to the controversial federal program. The letter was signed by several public officials, including Congressman Luis Gutierrez, who criticized the program for being ‘deeply-flawed’. “I oppose the Secure Communities state and local immigration program and its rapid expansion because it undermines public safety and has not lived up to its stated goals of identifying and deporting serious criminals rather than non-criminal immigrants,” said Congressman Luis Gutierrez.
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Families rallied on Tuesday at the Prudential Plaza and Wednesday at the Haymarket monument against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) “Secure Communities” program.