As NY1 scooped earlier, Gov. Andrew Cuomo is suspending the state’s participating in the controversial immigration-tracking program known as Secure Communities.

“There are concerns about the implementation of the program as well as its impact on families, immigrant communities and law enforcement in New York,” Cuomo said in a statement. “As a result, New York is suspending its participation in the program.”

Some state leaders have signaled growing concerns in recent days over the Immigration and Customs Enforcement program that is designed to find illegal immigrants accused of felony crimes.

However, civil liberties and immigrant-rights groups have said the program is flawed and possibly illegal.

Cuomo said in the statement that his office has received complaints about the program also from law enforcement officials, who believe the program’s usefulness is an hindrance to fighting crime.

And he said the Department of Homeland Security has failed to provide “basic information” about the workings of the program.

Earlier today, Cuomo dodged a question about whether the state would withdraw from the program, saying only it was being looked at.

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