Thread: Sandwich selectmen take stand on undocumented immigrants

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Selectmen take stand on undocumented immigrants to TM
By Silene Gordon/ sgordon@cnc.com
Thursday, September 14, 2006

Despite protests by some residents and immigration advocates, Sandwich selectmen will move forward with an attempt at a home rule petition that, if enacted, would give them the authority to suspend or revoke the license of any business in Sandwich found to be hiring undocumented workers.

At last Thursday night's selectmen's meeting, only Selectman Adam Chaprales deviated from his initial vote to support the proposal. Chaprales now says the home rule petition paints Sandwich as "unbusiness-friendly."

The 4-1 decision by selectmen pushes the issue, which has gained local and national attention, into the hands of townspeople. Voters will decide the fate of the article authorizing the home rule petition at Town Meeting on Sept. 25.

Selectman Doug Dexter, who presented the original proposal in July, said the article is in response to requests by constituents and local business owners, whom he did not name, who have difficulty competing against companies hiring undocumented workers.

"This entire discussion boils down to the fact that we had business owners coming to us saying that they are going out of business. They are competing with businesses that aren't paying the same wages, that aren't paying workmen's compensation or insurance.

"But if an illegal worker hurts himself at a home, he can sue the homeowner. Unfortunately, the people who are most victimized are the elderly, who can have their life savings wiped out," he added.

Town's reputation in question

The issue prompted several residents and immigration advocates to come forward at the recent selectmen's meeting in a final attempt to have the article scratched from the warrant. "Sandwich's reputation has been sullied," said Judith Page of Forestdale. "The die has been cast by this publicity. It seems that this is an ill-advised attempt to divert attention from the real issues in town."

Sandwich resident and attorney Raymond Yox asked the selectmen to explain why Sandwich residents should enact this law. "Unlike other communities that have attempted to address this issue, it appears that the immigrant population in the town of Sandwich is statistically insignificant. So why is our board of selectmen interested in pursuing this law?"

Dexter responded. "The same people who say Sandwich shouldn't have an illegal alien problem because it is 97 percent white are the same people who call us racists and bigots. That is not the issue," said Dexter.

Patricia Marques, a legal immigrant who lives in Sandwich, shared the views of the Cape Cod Immigrant Center in Centerville. Reading from a letter from its president, Marques said, "Our fear is that the intent of these bylaws is to solve the 'immigrant problem' locally through heavy-handed enforcement methods.

"Big business has always seen illegal immigration as a source of cheap labor. The immigration problem is of our own making."

Dexter said that, if enacted, the proposal can actually help those businesses who hire immigrants interested in being here legally. "We can offer people a way to set things right and to weed out the people who don't ever have the intention of being legal. If an employer has immigrant workers and needs help to make sure they are legal and wants to comply with the rules, we will do all we can to make that happen."

Originally proposed as a bylaw, selectmen were counseled by the town's attorneys to file a home rule petition rather than enact a local bylaw.

Saying that the town would be "somewhat protected from any legal challenge since it would be acting under color of a state law," the town's lawyer said "there is no guarantee that a special act might still engender a legal challenge."

In a letter to selectmen, American Civil Liberties Union attorney Sarah R. Wunsch indicated such a challenge is likely and predicted an "expensive legal battle."

To be enacted, the home rule petition would require passage at Town Meeting, as well as by the state Legislature and the governor's signature.

Adam Chaprales is a turncoat sellout!

ACLU sit down and shut up! There are too many cities and towns doing this for you to sue now. Please give it a try and we will watch as your funds are exhausted.

ACLU, you are too dumb to get out of the way of the train that is a commin.

W

Here come the ACLU snakes slithering from under their rock with their threats and blackmail.....you notice they toss out "expensive"...pure intimidation and blackmail. When the Hazelton thing is over, every town in America will enact the law....and to hell with the ACLU....they are the lowest form of scum in this country.

In a letter to selectmen, American Civil Liberties Union attorney Sarah R. Wunsch indicated such a challenge is likely and predicted an "expensive legal battle."

It is almost moronic to think that somebody can be sued for ENFORCING a law.....but then the morons at the ACLU win most of them by people backing down. I wouldn't be surprised if they don't back down from Hazelton. The "Top Dollar" attorneys that polished that law should have it "sue proof."