Jeanfromfillmore
09-28-2011, 11:56 AM
Protests, heckling as sheriffs denounce illegal aliens
Tough-talking sheriffs warned that the Bay State is becoming a “magnet” for illegal aliens and vowed to crack down — with or without Gov. Deval Patrick’s support — during a fiery press conference today that descended into chaos when sign-holding protesters began chanting and shouting counterpoints.
“Much like terrorists, they’re looking for a place to go where nobody’s going to notice them,” said Bristol Sheriff Thomas Hodgson. “And if we’re sending out a message that this is where you can basically come and we’re not really going to pay much attention to your status, well, it’s no wonder we’re running into the kinds of problems we are.”
The sheriffs of Bristol, Worcester and Plymouth counties have signed a deal that allows them to get around Patrick’s opposition to the Secure Communities program and still report arrested illegal aliens to federal immigration officials, they announced at a State House press conference today.
Essex Sheriff Frank Cousins, who was not at the press conference, has also signed on, the sheriffs said.
Earlier this week, lawmakers unveiled an illegal immigration bill that would toughen penalties for driving without a license and ensure state-subsidized housing is reserved for legal Massachusetts residents.
Patrick, who opposes Secure Communities, said yesterday that the state already shares fingerprints with the FBI and framed the sheriffs’ campaign as a “publicity stunt.”
But Hodgson, who challenged Patrick to “call Washington D.C.” and push for Secure Communities, dismissed the governor’s claim.
“I’m sorry the governor can’t distinguish between publicity and public safety,” Hodgson told the Herald after the press conference. “That’s unfortunate. But we’ve seen this from the governor before. When he doesn’t have a legitimate argument to support his position, he generally reduces it to these types of comments. That’s not surprising.”
After a half-hour, the morning press conference ended abruptly when a protester from immigrant-rights group Centro Presente began shouting his own questions.
About 10 others, holding signs reading “Take Hate Out of Our State” and “Together We Can Fight Social Injustice,” began chanting and demanding the man be allowed to speak.
That’s when sheriffs and lawmakers quickly adjourned the event.
http://news.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view/20110928protests_heckling_as_sheriffs_denounce_ill egal_aliens/
Tough-talking sheriffs warned that the Bay State is becoming a “magnet” for illegal aliens and vowed to crack down — with or without Gov. Deval Patrick’s support — during a fiery press conference today that descended into chaos when sign-holding protesters began chanting and shouting counterpoints.
“Much like terrorists, they’re looking for a place to go where nobody’s going to notice them,” said Bristol Sheriff Thomas Hodgson. “And if we’re sending out a message that this is where you can basically come and we’re not really going to pay much attention to your status, well, it’s no wonder we’re running into the kinds of problems we are.”
The sheriffs of Bristol, Worcester and Plymouth counties have signed a deal that allows them to get around Patrick’s opposition to the Secure Communities program and still report arrested illegal aliens to federal immigration officials, they announced at a State House press conference today.
Essex Sheriff Frank Cousins, who was not at the press conference, has also signed on, the sheriffs said.
Earlier this week, lawmakers unveiled an illegal immigration bill that would toughen penalties for driving without a license and ensure state-subsidized housing is reserved for legal Massachusetts residents.
Patrick, who opposes Secure Communities, said yesterday that the state already shares fingerprints with the FBI and framed the sheriffs’ campaign as a “publicity stunt.”
But Hodgson, who challenged Patrick to “call Washington D.C.” and push for Secure Communities, dismissed the governor’s claim.
“I’m sorry the governor can’t distinguish between publicity and public safety,” Hodgson told the Herald after the press conference. “That’s unfortunate. But we’ve seen this from the governor before. When he doesn’t have a legitimate argument to support his position, he generally reduces it to these types of comments. That’s not surprising.”
After a half-hour, the morning press conference ended abruptly when a protester from immigrant-rights group Centro Presente began shouting his own questions.
About 10 others, holding signs reading “Take Hate Out of Our State” and “Together We Can Fight Social Injustice,” began chanting and demanding the man be allowed to speak.
That’s when sheriffs and lawmakers quickly adjourned the event.
http://news.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view/20110928protests_heckling_as_sheriffs_denounce_ill egal_aliens/