Ritter announces immigration fingerprint program

By The AP
Tuesday, January 4, 2011

DENVER — Gov. Bill Ritter says Colorado will participate in a federal program aimed at identifying illegal immigrants when they’re booked into jails.

Ritter announced today that Colorado is joining 35 other states in implementing the federal Secure Communities program but with some modifications.

The program uses fingerprints to check a person’s immigration status during jail bookings.

Ritter said the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency will provide Colorado with quarterly reports and statistics so the state can assess how the program is working.

Immigrant advocacy groups worry the program will lead to racial profiling.