The leadership of the New York Civil Liberties Union today expressed deep concern that despite the objections of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, New York City officials, and federal, state and city lawmakers, the federal government is today implementing the Secure Communities deportation program in New York City and across the state.

Last June, Cuomo stood up for the rights of all New Yorkers by suspending the state’s participation in Secure Communities. Yet today, the Department of Homeland Security is ignoring New York’s wishes and implementing this failed program in our state.

“Secure Communities is wrong for America, and it’s wrong for New York,” said NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman. “It tears families apart, invites racial profiling and makes us less safe by eroding community-police relations. The NYCLU calls on the Obama administration to reverse course and reject Secure Communities. Until that is done, we will continue to fight against the program’s use in New York.”