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A public hearing on Wednesday held by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Official in Arlington, VA, drew about 400 protesters who oppose the so-called Secure Communities Program. Arlington was the last stop on a national tour of a commission charged with evaluating the controversial program. Secure Communities, also known as S-COMM, allows local law enforcement agencies to collect the biometric data of arrested individuals, which ultimately is sent to ICE for the identification and deportation of undocumented immigrants. During Wednesday’s hearing Maria Blanos confronted an ICE official, questioning the basis for criminal charges brought against her that were dropped, but may lead to her deportation. She was arrested for allegedly selling a telephone card to a neighbor after she called in a domestic dispute incident to police. Blanos’ case is typical of what advocates say is the overreach of S-COMM. National outrage over the deportation of non-violent offenders has led to a shift in the Obama administration’s deportation priorities. A recent memo by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)states that the agency will review more than 300,000 deportation cases. Those deemed low priority may be closed, in favor of prosecuting high priority criminal cases. High priority cases, include, but are not limited to those involving a felony, and repeat offenders. Low priority cases include undocumented youth who arrived in the US as minors and have been active in trying to pass the DREAM act, and well as victims of crime, spouses (including LGBT spouses), and pregnant women. Individuals whose cases are closed can apply for a work permit. While immigrant rights groups feel that this policy change is in the right direction they also assert that the DHS has not gone far enough, particularly to address the rights of the at least 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. They are calling for a complete end to S-COMM.

GUEST: Carlos Roa, online organizer with Presente.org, and an undocumented activist.

Visit www.Presente.org for more information.