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Lawrence police chief sides with Healey Denounces Patrick's proposal to give driver's licenses to illegal immigrants

Lawrence police chief sides with Healey Denounces Patrick's proposal to give driver's licenses to illegal immigrants
By Edward Mason
Eagle-Tribune


—

BOSTON - In a city such as Lawrence, it is already difficult to keep track of illegal immigrants who get in trouble.
That is why city police Chief John Romero is opposed to a proposal by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Deval Patrick to give Massachusetts driver's licenses to those living in the state illegally.

Romero joined Republican Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey at a news conference in Boston yesterday to denounce Patrick's proposal, which has become one of the most controversial issues of this fiery gubernatorial campaign.

While Patrick contends it would allow the state to keep track of illegal immigrants, Romero, who came to Lawrence as chief from the tough streets of New York City, said it would help illegals intent on committing crimes.

"If we give them a driver's license, we allow them to build an entire identity around that license," Romero said. "It is one of the best forms of identification."

He also disagreed with Patrick's argument that forcing illegal immigrants to get driver's licenses would allow the state to have some control over them.

"What we are saying is we fight drugs every day. Do we make it legal? No. We don't legalize something because you're going to do it anyway," Romero said.

Romero insisted that neither he nor Healey are picking on illegal immigrants.

"We're not targeting people who are here illegally," Romero said. "But if they're not here (illegally), maybe that crime wouldn't happen."

He pointed out that illegal immigrants have committed crimes in Lawrence. Tony Diaz, 41, was sentenced in June for his role in a July 14, 2004, shooting outside the LA Grill on Amesbury Street in Lawrence. Diaz, who was twice deported but returned each time, was sentenced to 22 years in prison for being an illegal immigrant in possession of a firearm.

Romero also noted that of the more than 200 arrests the city has made in its battle against auto insurance fraud, a number have included illegal immigrants.

Also joining Healey at the news conference yesterday was state Sen. Bruce E. Tarr, R-Gloucester.

Tarr said giving illegal immigrants access to state benefits, such as driver's licenses and in-state tuition, rewards illegal behavior.

"The issue is we're trying to do everything we can to support people who come here legally and not provide an incentive and rewards."

Giving them access to driver's licenses would allow them to create false identities that would make it difficult for them to be caught.

"How do we know this information is valid in the first place? Once we've given them a documented ID, how do we verify this information is accurate? You've provided them with something recognized as one of the highest forms of ID. If they're willing to come here and break the law, how do we know they're telling us who they are?"

Tarr also said making in-state tuition available to illegal immigrants, as Patrick has proposed, may make the state more attractive for people who slip across the border illegally.

"People might come to Massachusetts for that," Tarr said.

Tarr said he isn't anti-immigrant, pointing to the fact he proposed $500,000 for English and history classes to help immigrants pass their citizenship tests.

"I'm hoping we can attract many immigrants to come here legally. We need them," Tarr said. "But are they coming here to play by the rules or circumvent them?"

A spokeswoman for Patrick said Healey's own record on illegal immigration is spotty and blamed the administration for ignoring the problem of hiring practices in Massachusetts.

"The Romney-Healey administration has given contracts to companies that hire undocumented workers. Kerry Healey is trying to talk tough on an issue, but it's the usual empty rhetoric," said Libby DeVecchi.


Copyright © 1999-2006 cnhi, inc.

By Edward Mason
Eagle-Tribune


—

BOSTON - In a city such as Lawrence, it is already difficult to keep track of illegal immigrants who get in trouble.
That is why city police Chief John Romero is opposed to a proposal by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Deval Patrick to give Massachusetts driver's licenses to those living in the state illegally.

Romero joined Republican Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey at a news conference in Boston yesterday to denounce Patrick's proposal, which has become one of the most controversial issues of this fiery gubernatorial campaign.

While Patrick contends it would allow the state to keep track of illegal immigrants, Romero, who came to Lawrence as chief from the tough streets of New York City, said it would help illegals intent on committing crimes.

"If we give them a driver's license, we allow them to build an entire identity around that license," Romero said. "It is one of the best forms of identification."

He also disagreed with Patrick's argument that forcing illegal immigrants to get driver's licenses would allow the state to have some control over them.

"What we are saying is we fight drugs every day. Do we make it legal? No. We don't legalize something because you're going to do it anyway," Romero said.

Romero insisted that neither he nor Healey are picking on illegal immigrants.

"We're not targeting people who are here illegally," Romero said. "But if they're not here (illegally), maybe that crime wouldn't happen."

He pointed out that illegal immigrants have committed crimes in Lawrence. Tony Diaz, 41, was sentenced in June for his role in a July 14, 2004, shooting outside the LA Grill on Amesbury Street in Lawrence. Diaz, who was twice deported but returned each time, was sentenced to 22 years in prison for being an illegal immigrant in possession of a firearm.

Romero also noted that of the more than 200 arrests the city has made in its battle against auto insurance fraud, a number have included illegal immigrants.

Also joining Healey at the news conference yesterday was state Sen. Bruce E. Tarr, R-Gloucester.

Tarr said giving illegal immigrants access to state benefits, such as driver's licenses and in-state tuition, rewards illegal behavior.

"The issue is we're trying to do everything we can to support people who come here legally and not provide an incentive and rewards."

Giving them access to driver's licenses would allow them to create false identities that would make it difficult for them to be caught.

"How do we know this information is valid in the first place? Once we've given them a documented ID, how do we verify this information is accurate? You've provided them with something recognized as one of the highest forms of ID. If they're willing to come here and break the law, how do we know they're telling us who they are?"

Tarr also said making in-state tuition available to illegal immigrants, as Patrick has proposed, may make the state more attractive for people who slip across the border illegally.

"People might come to Massachusetts for that," Tarr said.

Tarr said he isn't anti-immigrant, pointing to the fact he proposed $500,000 for English and history classes to help immigrants pass their citizenship tests.

"I'm hoping we can attract many immigrants to come here legally. We need them," Tarr said. "But are they coming here to play by the rules or circumvent them?"

A spokeswoman for Patrick said Healey's own record on illegal immigration is spotty and blamed the administration for ignoring the problem of hiring practices in Massachusetts.

"The Romney-Healey administration has given contracts to companies that hire undocumented workers. Kerry Healey is trying to talk tough on an issue, but it's the usual empty rhetoric," said Libby DeVecchi.


Copyright © 1999-2006 cnhi, inc.