Blake Moore: “The purpose of my amendment is to restore $3 million to the Department of Homeland Security Office of Civil Rights and…”

“The purpose of my amendment is to restore $3 million to the Department of Homeland Security Office of Civil Rights and Liberties. This amendment would simply level fund this account at the fiscal year 2012 level. Mr. Chairman, it troubles me to see the continued rollout of Secure Communities and increase in funding for these 287(g) programs in the underlying bill, especially juxtaposed with a 13 percent decrease in funding for the office of Civil Rights and Liberties. Experts and officials across the country have concerns about these programs that shift Federal immigration laws into the hands of local police. I have a letter from 88 civil rights organizations urging the Federal Bureau of Investigation to ``end its facilitation of the fundamentally flawed Secure Communities deportation program.'' The letter states: Secure Communities has caused widespread controversy because it threatens public safety, encourages racial profiling, undermines community policing, and serves as a deportation dragnet, ensnaring anyone who is booked into police custody. As cochair of the Women's Caucus, I am particularly concerned when I hear stories of the effects this program has on victims across our communities. Women and their children are increasingly afraid to go to local police to get confidential help, to call 911 during an emergency because they are terrified of being caught in this dragnet.…”