ALERTA invited Belvidere mayor Fred Brereton, county board chairman Bob Walberg and Boone county jail supervisor lieutenant John Hare to answer their questions. Hoping to clear up a lot of rumors surrounding the county's criminal alien program. So far about 50 people have been deported because of it.

"There was the concern about people were being held in the jail for more than 48 hours," said Ana Recendiz, ALERTA president.

First, Boone county's program is not the same thing as the Secure Communities program causing controversy in Winnebago county; Boone county has not yet signed on to that voluntary program. Second, it applies to everyone who is arrested in Boone county on a jailable offense. The goal is to keep dangerous criminals off the street.
"It's not random people," said Boone county jail supervisor, Lt. John Hare.

One of the biggest concerns folks at the meeting had was, if you are caught driving without a license and can not prove you are a citizen you can go to jail. That is not true. In Boone county driving without a license is not a jailable offense, so ICE will not be notified. You can be held up to 48 hours if you are flagged by the immigration and customs enforcement agency if you are arrested and sent to jail.

Community members felt that while a lot of their questions are still unanswered there at least is a dialog between the county leaders and the community.

The officials did say they would take a closer look at the secure communities program before deciding whether or not to take part in it. The Department of Homeland Security hopes to take secure communities nationwide by 2013.

Belvidere Latinos tell us they're also concerned about the few number of Latinos working in Belvidere government. Or on its police force. Belvedere's mayor encouraged more participation, but added there are currently no open positions as the city is facing a 1.6 million dollar deficit.