Immigration Rally Planned in Miami

Immigrants in South Florida are joining groups nationwide to protest the Obama administration's decision to make its Secure Communities program mandatory.

Local activists plan to rally Tuesday afternoon outside Miami-Dade County Democratic headquarters in Miami Beach.

The administration recently announced it would require local law enforcement to check the immigration status of individuals they arrest and book into jail. Previously, the program was voluntary.

The Obama administration calls it common sense to use existing federal databases to identify those arrested for crimes who can be deported. Immigrant advocates say the program makes people afraid to cooperate with authorities for fear they could be deported. And they say it diverts limited resources from investigating more serious crimes.

The immigration groups will deliver copies of thousands of petitions against the program.