Don’t dilute state’s already lax immigration enforcement

Renewed efforts to turn Massachusetts into a haven for illegal immigrants took center stage on Beacon Hill recently.

The Legislature’s Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security hosted a packed hearing Jan. 24, on a bill that would limit how local police and federal immigration officials interact over immigration-related matters.

Rep. Ruth Balser, a Newton Democrat and the bill’s co-sponsor, said while the state Legislature cannot fix national immigration policy, there are steps it can take to make Massachusetts a “safe and welcoming place” for immigrants.

Most people would likely assume she was referring to immigrants who entered this country legally. However, her concern was reserved for those who flout our immigration laws and then expect our legal system to shield them from the consequences of that illegal act.

The state’s Republican Party rightfully took issue with that skewed view. In a written statement, it said the bill would “protect those who have already broken the law by crossing our borders illegally.”

The Senate backed similar language contained in a budget amendment by Sen. Jamie Eldridge in the last legislative session.

But that bid received considerable pushback. Gov. Charlie Baker, who doesn’t oppose communities adopting sanctuary policies, nonetheless threatened to veto any sanctuary state bill. “We did not feel that that would enhance the quality of public safety in the commonwealth,” Baker stated at the time.

The Acton Democrat’s amendment stalled in the House.

This session’s proposed legislation would prevent the Department of Correction, state police, sheriff departments and city or town police departments from performing the functions of an immigration officer. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, state and local enforcement agencies could only conduct interviews, including informal questioning, for immigration purposes if the individual provides “informed consent” in writing.

Also under this bill, officers or employees of law enforcement agencies could only notify DHS of an alien’s imminent release from state or local custody if that person had completed the term of that sentence. The bill does not, however, prevent state or local agencies from sending or receiving information regarding immigration status from local, state or federal entities.

In practice and under the law, most illegal immigrants in this state already enjoy virtual immunity from deportation. In 2018, Massachusetts’ Supreme Judicial Court ruled that local police don’t have the power to detain people on immigration violations unless they also face criminal charges. However, the SJC also said the Legislature has the power to change that.

In response to that decision, the governor filed legislation seeking to authorize, but not require, state and local law enforcement to honor specific ICE detainers for “aliens who pose a threat to public safety.” Even that reasonable measure has failed to gain sufficient support in the Legislature.

And federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement resources only allow for the apprehension of those who have been charged with serious crimes.

So, it’s easy to see why most illegals have little to fear from federal, state or local authorities, But we shouldn’t endorse the sorry state our immigration enforcement system by codifying it with a legislative seal of approval.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/38TNWIz