Throughout this mayoral race, one issue seems to be plaguing Michael Hancock. This issue pertains to his stance on a federal program called Secure Communities (S-COMM).

In essence, S-COMM is designed to deport undocumented immigrants convicted of felony crimes. In order for S-COMM to work, states and local governments must cooperate with Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) to identify undocumented immigrant felons. However, before S-COMM can be implemented in any state, a governor must sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with ICE. Sounds like a great federal immigration program, right? Unfortunately, the implementation of S-COMM has resulted in the widespread violation of constitutional rights and civil liberties of U.S. citizens and legal residents.

By way of background, in April 2010, I was asked to brief Governor Bill Ritter's staff about S-COMM. Working in conjunction with a brilliant attorney, Hans Meyer, we pulled together hundreds of pages of documents about S-COMM, including a federal complaint filed against ICE because of its refusal to release public records about S-COMM. The federal complaint detailed horrendous abuses by ICE and local law enforcement, including racial profiling. Data from ICE showed that within a one year period 5,880 American citizens were wrongly identified as undocumented, subjecting them to possible deportation.

Because of the substantial problems with S-COMM and its implementation by ICE and local law enforcement, Gov. Ritter was strongly advised to steer clear of S-COMM. Primarily, we were concerned about the potential abuses Coloradans would suffer, the adverse effect on community-police relations, whether domestic violence victims or other victims of crimes would fail to report crimes, and the fact that S-COMM was being used as a dragnet deportation program instead of focusing on the deportation of undocumented immigrant felons. I personally advised Gov. Ritter, attorney-to-attorney, to stay away from any federal program that is currently under litigation.

Did Gov. Ritter listen? Of course not. He was utterly obstinate. During a June 2010 meeting, he informed a group of us, including members of the African-American community, faith-based organizations, and organizations that fight against domestic violence, he was going to sign the MOU. We expected his lack of vision and leadership. So, we asked that a number of safeguards be placed in the MOU, including, among other things, protecting constitutional rights, prohibiting racial profiling and protecting domestic violence victims. Gov. Ritter indicated he would consider our suggested safeguards.

Recognizing the enormity of the problems caused by S-COMM, Chris Romer showed real leadership and vision as he stood by our side demanding protections from this abusive federal program. Nonetheless, on the eleventh hour of his governorship, Gov. Ritter signed the MOU without any real safeguards to protect Coloradans. Any supposed safeguards negotiated by Gov. Ritter were illusory and without any force.

I never could have imagined that it would take just a few months to discover another politician without any real leadership skills or vision.

Michael Hancock has unabashedly come out in favor of S-COMM. Standing by his side is former-Governor Ritter. Their stubborn support flies in the face of a federal investigation into S-COMM. Michael Hancock also refuses to acknowledge that the State of Illinois withdrew its agreement with ICE, California is considering legislation to severely limit S-COMM, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus has called for a moratorium on S-COMM, and dozens of municipalities across the nation are either refusing to implement S-COMM or are fighting to opt out of the program. Real leaders throughout the nation simply refuse to subject their constituents to this abusive federal program.

Michael Hancock's continued support of S-COMM is astounding. One would figure that because of his humble roots, he would have been the first to reject any government enforcement program that adversely affects disadvantaged and humble communities, such as the Denver Latino community. A true leader would place the constitutional rights of his/her constituency above all other things.

In sum, while S-COMM reveals that Michael Hancock is not willing to show real leadership, Chris Romer is ready to fight against even the federal government for his constituents.

Joseph A. Salazar is a civil rights and constitutional law attorney practicing in Denver. He also teaches Chicana/o history and legal studies courses at two institutions of higher education.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is an online-only column and has not been edited.