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Mayoral Candidates Have Opposing Views Of Secure Communities Program

DENVER (CBS4)- A controversial program has the two Denver mayoral candidates on opposite sides of a heated debate.

One group of Latino activists, the Colorado Latino Forum, is calling on Michael Hancock to limit Denver's participation in the "Secure Communities" program. Chris Romer has already signed a pledge promising that if he is elected mayor, Denver would only report data about convicted felons to immigration authorities.

The federal program checks the fingerprints of all people arrested against a national database. It also checks their legal status and arrest record. Three counties in Colorado, including Denver, participate in the program.

A federal investigation is under way into how immigration authorities are using "Secure Communities" to identify and deport dangerous criminals who are illegal immigrants.

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