6 more Illinois counties to use ICE's fingerprint program to identify illegal immigrants
By Associated Press
1:18 PM CDT, April 13, 2010
CHICAGO (AP) — Federal officials say six more Illinois counties will use a fingerprinting program that allows authorities to check the immigration status of every person booked into jail.
The idea is to identify illegal immigrants.
Starting Tuesday, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Secure Communities program will be used in Lake, Madison, McHenry, St. Clair, Will and Winnebago counties.
DuPage and Kane counties already have it.
The program lets authorities match fingerprints against federal databases, including immigration records.
Secure Communities Director David Venturella says the program protects public safety by not releasing illegal immigrants who've been accused of violent crimes.
The program began in 2008. It's used in 19 states.
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