Colorado Sheriffs Say Immigration Program Is Pricey

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) - Several Colorado County sheriffs say can't afford to pay the costs of an expanding federal program that uses fingerprints to identify illegal immigrants.

The Denver Post reports Wednesday that about two dozen sheriff offices in Colorado say they support the program but are concerned they won't be able to adequately implement it because they don't have money to update their equipment.

Secure Communities works by checking fingerprints taken upon arrest and referencing the information to federal databases. The program is run by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Agency spokesman Carl Rusnok says the program can function without the new technology sheriffs' are seeking.

ICE has said the program will be mandatory nationwide by 2013. Arapahoe, Denver, and El Paso counties are the only places in Colorado currently running the program.

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