What is the purpose of the Secure Communities program?

The Secure Communities program is designed specifically to identify criminal aliens and facilitate their removal from the United States. By utilizing biometric data collected during arrests, such as fingerprints, the program allows law enforcement agencies to connect individuals with immigration status and any criminal history. This identification process is crucial for prioritizing the enforcement of immigration laws against those who have committed crimes, thereby enhancing public safety. This focus on criminal aliens helps streamline the collaboration between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, effectively targeting individuals who pose a greater risk to communities.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the primary objective of the Secure Communities program. Providing legal aid to immigrants or assisting asylum seekers pertains to supporting individuals in their immigration legal processes, while enhancing security at U.S. borders refers more to measures focused on preventing unauthorized entries rather than addressing existing individuals within the community.