The Serrano Report, Vol. VIII, #14

Serrano Applauds Governor Cuomo for Withdrawing from Secure Communities

On Wednesday, Congressman Serrano praised Governor  Cuomo’s decision to withdraw New York State from Secure Communities, a program in which Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) partners with state and local jails to deport immigrants they have in custody. Originally the program was designed to target violent criminals, however, in practice it has mostly deported immigrants who have not committed violent crimes and many that have not committed criminal violations at all. In addition, there is concern that the program makes immigrants less likely to cooperate with local law enforcement. In light of these problems, Serrano wrote a letter with Representative Nydia M.Velázquez last month asking Governor Cuomo to withdraw New York from the program. 

"Governor Cuomo has demonstrated tremendous leadership by taking the brave and necessary step of suspending New York State’s participation in the flawed Secure Communities program, and he deserves great praise," said Serrano. "He is firmly in line with our state’s pro-immigrant position and on behalf of the immigrants and their friends in the community, I would like to thank him.  Having New York State pull back from this aggressive program should be a wakeup call to the Department of Homeland Security.  It is time to end this program and I am glad my home state will no longer take part.”

Under the program, ICE identifies individuals for deportation before the underlying arrest has been reviewed by the criminal justice system and those arrested have little ability to challenge their detention or deportation.

"With this decision, New York State is upholding its commitment to protect the rights of all of its residents," Serrano added. "I hope that the Obama administration will realize that this program is an affront to our values, and begin to make swift changes.  In the meantime, I expect that other states and localities around the nation will follow New York’s lead and suspend their participation in this program." 

Serrano Helps Kick Off Summer Season at Restored Orchard Beach

Last Friday, Congressman Serrano joined NYC Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, NYC Parks Bronx Borough Commissioner Hector Aponte and Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. to start the opening of the summer season at the newly-restored Orchard Beach in the Bronx.

"Today marks the beginning of a new era for summer leisure and recreation in the Bronx. The newly restored Orchard Beach, is back to how it was meant to be—beautiful, wide and safe," said Serrano. "As a result of the $7 million in federal funds that my friend Joe Crowley and I obtained over the years, and our partnership with NYC Parks, and of course the Corps of Engineers’ hard work, we now are looking out at a glorious beach that Bronxites will enjoy this summer, and for many more to come. This was a great partnership and a great project." 

The shoreline protection project included the replacement of the sand that had been lost and also was designed to prevent future erosion. In addition, the project addressed the underwater “drop-off zones” that represented a danger to swimmers at Orchard Beach. The project replaced more than 250,000 cubic yards of sand. The beach is now open for the season, during which approximately one million patrons are expected.

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