News and Press Release

Menino Threatens to Quit Secure Communities

Posted: July 14 2011

Last month Governor Patrick announced that he will not sign on Massachusetts to participate in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) program Secure Communities (S-Comm).  This program is widely viewed as an anti-immigrant policy that is likely to lead to racial profiling and decreased public safety.  Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Boston Police Commissioner Edward F. Davis have been outspoken supporters of this controversial program and believe Secure Communities helps to fight crime. 

However, on Monday, July 11 in an sudden reversal move, Menino sent Commissioner Davis to Washington DC to hand deliver a letter to the Department of Homeland Security office. In the letter, Menino threatened to withdraw Boston police from S-comm unless substantial changes were made to the program that prove that immigrants being deported are only those who have committed serious crimes. Read more