203 Deported In Monterey Co. Under New Program

Secure Communities Program Went Into Effect In April

SALINAS, Calif. — KSBW.com

Since the Secure Communities Program went into effect in April, 203 people have been deported from Monterey County, according to data released by program officials.

The program requires that when someone is booked into the Monterey County Jail, their immigration status is checked with the Department of Homeland Security.

Of the 203 people deported, 38 fell into the category of serious offenses — including murder, kidnapping, rape and drug trafficking. About half those departed don’t have criminal records but were in the country illegally.

The program’s results have surprised local law enforcement.

“We are identifying the most serious offenders, and most of the time it’s linked to gang culture and they have committed serious crimes,” said Monterey County Sheriff Mike Kanalakis.

Kanalakis said the Monterey County Jail has had a large increase in the percentage of the inmate population who have been identified as having immigration holds.

Before the Secure Communities Program, the number of immigration holds was about 4 percent, it is now up to nearly 19 percent, which is the equivalent of about 1,000 inmates.

The Secure Communities Program does not target a certain ethnicity; only people who are arrested and are fingerprinted and scanned for their immigration status.

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