House votes to withdraw from immigrant deportation program

SPRINGFIELD — The House Friday approved a measure that would give counties the choice to withdraw from a federal program that seeks to deports illegal immigrants convicted of a crime.

Lawmakers were pressed to make reforms to the Secure Communities program operated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after some accused the program of overstepping its original intent.

The program was meant to deport illegal immigrants convicted of a serious crime. But 46 percent of immigrants arrested by Secure Communities had no conviction of any kind, according to the legislation. And less than 20 percent who were deported never committed a serious offense, according to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The legislation would give counties the option to participate in the program. And counties that continue to participate would have to submit detailed monthly reports to the Illinois State Police to make sure they follow the guidelines.

Supporters argued Secure Communities unnecessarily tore families apart and caused an additional burden on police agencies. But some lawmakers did not see a need for legislation after Gov. Pat Quinn sent a memo earlier this week to the Department of Homeland Security pulling the state from the Secure Communities program.

“Why are we doing this when the governor already addressed this?” said Rep. Fred Crespo, a Hoffman Estates Democrat.

The legislation passed the House on a 66-43 vote. It now moves to the Senate for consideration.