Congressman Adler Announces Additional Funding for Program to Expand Immigration Checks to All Local Jails

Thursday, 15 October 2009 13:35

House passes legislation to fund program that identifies and deports criminals who are living in this country illegally

Washington, DC - Congressman John Adler today announced $200 million in the Homeland Security Appropriations Conference Report for a government program that would identify and deport criminals who are living in this country illegally. In a state-by-state comparison, New Jersey is ranked eighth in the number of illegal immigrant residents, with more than 200,000 living in the state. The House passed the legislation today.

"We must deport criminals who are living in this country illegally," Congressman Adler said. "This will remove people who should not be here in the first place, and protect families in our area."

The Secure Communities program received $50 million more than was allocated in 2009. The program would check the immigration status of virtually every person booked into local jails. According to news reports, in four years, the measure could result in a tenfold increase in illegal immigrants who have been convicted of crimes and identified for deportation.

On May 27, 2009, Congressman Adler sent a letter to the Subcommittee on Homeland Security Chairman David Price and Ranking Member Harold Rogers urging support and funding for the program.

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