By Carla Zanoni
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
UPPER MANHATTAN — Upper Manhattan elected officials are applauding Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s move Wednesday to put a temporary halt to the state’s participation in a federal fingerprint sharing program after months of outcry from critics who said the practice is unfair to immigrants.
Critics decried the state’s decision last May to begin participating in Secure Communities, a federal program where police share fingerprints of those arrested in the state with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency.
The federal agency could use the data to check the immigration status of those arrested and begin deportation proceedings if they are found to be in the country without documentation.
ICE officials say the program is designed to protect U.S. residents from serious criminal offenders, but immigration advocates said the practice did not distinguish between undocumented immigrants who are dangerous criminals and those with misdemeanor convictions who pose no threat to national security.
"By targeting immigrants, instead of dangerous criminals, the program not only failed, it created mistrust and anxiety among immigrants whose cooperation with law enforcement is considered vital in combating criminal activities," State Sen. Adriano Espaillat said.
City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez had joined Espaillat last year in the call for the end of the program, saying the program not only jeopardized the privacy of U.S. residents, but also put an unfair financial burden on local municipalities.
Rodriguez said he celebrated the governor’s decision to end the program, but said more work needed to be done.
"There is no doubt that with this program suspended, communities around New York finally will become more secure, however we can't stop here," Rodriguez said. "All of those who worked for this day need to build on this momentum, and call for Governor Cuomo to permanently suspend "Secure Communities."
