Ball: Keep NY in 'Secure Communities'

Dear Editor:

In a real change of events, much has changed in Albany and things are finally heading in the right direction. The state budget was passed on time and was balanced, we cut overall spending by 2 percent and cut state government operations spending by 10 percent, there were no new taxes in the bill and no back door borrowing. Indeed, we are now finalizing agreements on the property tax cap and ethics reform, both historic and landmark pieces of legislation. With this momentum, New York State is finally heading in the right direction.

That said, something happened last week in Albany that is particularly disturbing. Governor Andrew Cuomo decided to suspend the state’s participation in “Secure Communities." This program has successfully deported over 77,000 criminal illegal aliens, and that includes more than 25,000 violent criminal illegal aliens including murderers, rapists and child predators.

Even as the Federal Government has informed officials in Illinois that participation in S-Comm is mandatory, Governor Cuomo’s office announced on June 1 that the state would no longer participate in the program, citing “questions and controversies.”

As Chairman of the New York State Senate Standing Committee on Homeland Security, I completely disagree with the Governor and am appalled that politics would seep into the Executive’s decisions on matters of Homeland Security.

On April 7, I conducted a hearing in New York City on the status of our preparedness a decade after the September 11th attacks.. I was shocked to learn of the vulnerabilities still facing our state, including core communications and transportation vulnerabilities. We need to be adding more resources and tools for members of local law enforcement to protect our communities, not take them away.

Suspending this vital law enforcement tool is a recipe for disaster. As I work with my legislative colleagues to push the Governor to reconsider his stance, I’m asking that the Federal Department of Homeland Security immediately take all necessary actions to overturn these actions by Governor Cuomo. I’m also asking that all New Yorkers call Governor Cuomo and demand that he reconsider his position immediately.

Sincerely,

Senator Gregory R. Ball

Chairman, New York State Senate Standing Committee onVeterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs