Thread: Bill puts out Bay State welcome mat

http://news.bostonherald.com/localPolit ... eid=189841

Bill puts out Bay State welcome mat
By Jessica Van Sack
Wednesday, March 21, 2007

On the heels of a controversial New Bedford illegal-alien bust, with increasingly liberal Democratic leadership in the State House, state Rep. Byron Rushing is pushing a sweeping proposal to “welcome” all people to the Bay State.

The renewed push by Rushing, who has filed the bill repeatedly, has set off a Republican uproar.

The bill would bar state workers from inquiring about or investigating a person’s immigration status, and would solidify a policy that encourages anyone who wishes to become a citizen to do so, regardless of their residency status.

Other proposed changes - that illegal aliens receive the same benefits such as welfare, employment and health coverage - are superceded by existing laws and are therefore largely symbolic.

“We have huge waiting lists for public housing, and for housing authorities to be prohibited from asking someone their citizenship status is outrageous,” said Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei (R-Wakefield). “As liberal as the Legislature has become, I can’t believe this would pass when we can barely provide resources for people who are here legally.”

Democrats were mum on the proposal, which Rushing, one of the Legislature’s more liberal Democrats, has filed annually since 1990. Sen. Therese Murray, (D-Plymouth), who is expected to become Senate president, couldn’t be reached. Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick declined to comment.

Rushing said if his proposal was in place two weeks ago when more than 300 workers at Michael Bianco Inc. were arrested, events might have unfolded differently.

“Our first reaction would have been to help these people, and there would have been no pause,” he said.

Senate Assistant Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) said the New Bedford case isn’t applicable.

“I don’t think anyone at the Department of Social Services tried to deny anyone services based on their immigration status,” he said.

Calling the proposal one of the most “extreme” he’s ever seen, Bob Dane, spokesman for Washington, D.C.-based Federation for American Immigration reform, said if Rushing’s proposal passes, the Bay State will become a magnet for illegals. “It’s not only a don’t ask, don’t tell proposal, it’s just ‘take,’ ” he said.

Rep Rushing can't be serious. How did he ever get voted into office anyway!

Originally Posted by firecracker

Rep Rushing can't be serious. How did he ever get voted into office anyway!

Maybe he had help from the teddy bear.

Massachusetts makes me sick. These liberal idiots have swallowed a line of bull from Kennnedy since day one. They were first in the pilgrim settlement of this country but seem to have reneged their forefathers and changed their allegiance to Mexico.

I'd like to send them 3 million illegals from California all expenses paid and see how they'd like their gene pool changed by intermarriage.

Looks like Teddy is not the only idiot from MA.