Boston Legislature May Pass New Immigration Crackdown

[Jeanfromfillmore]

Boston Legislature May Pass New Immigration Crackdown
Massachusetts legislature has been steeped in budget talks all week, but one Suffolk University student may have been at the State House for longer. The New York Times reports that Andres Del Castillo has been sitting outside the Statehouse protesting the possible passage of a new crackdown on illegal immigration. the plan has already passed the State Senate, and now only needs to pass the budget approval process in order to pass the House. The Arizona law did not seem very relevant in Massachusetts when it passed in April, and others have even called the Democrat controlled state a sanctuary for illegal immigrants.
Yet now a Republican illegal immigration law is close to passing amid the ripple effects that the Arizona law and other events have created. The House came close to passing a law merely five days after the Arizona law that would stop public benefits for illegal immigrants. Anger over Obama’s aunt, who had been living in Boston public housing while fighting deportation, has also influence much anti-illegal immigration legislation to become more of a reality for the traditional blue state.
“It’s all part of the same stew we’re in,” said Representative Denise Provost, a Democrat from Somerville who said her office was inundated with hostile calls after she voted against the crackdown in April. “It’s partly Arizona, partly the economy, partly radio show hosts being obsessed with these issues.”
It seems that support for the Arizona law in Massachusetts is actually more than previously thought. Many support the current Arizona law, and future crackdowns on illegal immigration in Massachusetts. More than 80% also say you must have proof of citizenship before claiming public benefits as well. The Senate passed the current measure 28 to 10, which would limit the ability of illegal immigrants to receive public health care, housing, and higher education benefits. It would also require that the states attorney general set up a phone line so that those suspected of illegal immigration could be reported, and that businesses would need to prove workers were not illegals. The students are protesting the provision that would bar illegal immigrants from receiving the state higher education rates for college students. Although these provisions have not passed the budget process yet, it appears the attitude of those in Massachusetts will drive more illegal immigration efforts and will push the Senate approved measure through with public support.
http://www.lipmantimes.com/?p=13469