Thread: Sandwich, Ma. won't act on illegals

Sandwich won't act on illegals



By GEORGE BRENNAN

STAFF WRITER



SANDWICH - Voters said a resounding no last night to a proposal that would have targeted businesses known to have hired illegal immigrants.




The measure would have made Sandwich the first town in the state to pass special legislation aimed at businesses who hire illegal aliens, but a motion made early in the debate to indefinitely postpone the article was passed 572-301, effectively killing the hotly debated issue before it got going.



''These are the responsibilities of the federal government and we must hold them directly responsible for their failure or success,'' resident Paul Schrader said in making the motion. ''Local intrusion into these issues will only serve to unnecessarily divide the citizens of our town and may consequences. What we do here tonight will tell the rest of the world what kind of community we are, what kind of people we are.''



When Selectman Douglas Dexter first proposed the sanctions against businesses in late June, declaring that the town is ''not a sanctuary for illegal aliens,'' it brought the national debate over illegal foreign workers to this town of 23,000.



The home-rule petition, which would have required legislative approval, sought to revoke, suspend or deny a license to any business found to hire unauthorized workers by federal authorities.



It would have provided Sandwich business owners who are operating legally the protection the federal government has failed to provide, Dexter said in presenting the article.



''Tonight, in Article 9, you're being asked if you want the town of Sandwich to have the means to protect local businesses from unfair and illegal competition and homeowners from employers who hire illegal workers,'' Dexter said.



Opponents said it's not a local issue. ''Illegal immigration is not a major problem in Sandwich,'' resident James Barrasso said. ''High property taxes, high cost of gas, high health care - those are the real problems. Let's not get distracted.''



Initially selectmen voted unanimously to support it, but two weeks ago Selectman Adam Chaprales withdrew his support because of its unfriendly tone toward businesses.



The legislation would send the wrong message to businesses looking at Sandwich, which the town desperately needs to boost its commercial tax base, he said.



''Who in their right mind would want to do business in a town that targets and profiles immigrants - legal or illegal?'' Chaprales said. ''Let's face it, we're profiling here.''



The proposal would likely result in a lawsuit the town can't afford to fight, Chaprales said.



Selectmen had the legislation drafted by the town's attorney to avoid a protracted legal challenge. A home-rule petition must be approved by town meeting and the state Legislature. It becomes state law, but only applies in the community where it was initially proposed.
Enforcement would have piggy-backed on federal initiatives, selectmen said.



Businesses are required to keep a federal form used to document citizenship, called an I-9, available for inspection by federal authorities.



Sandwich is one of hundreds of towns and cities across the country frustrated by the lack of federal enforcement of immigration laws considering local action, Dexter said.



The city of Hazleton, Pa., is being sued by the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund and the American Civil Liberties Union for an ordinance that fines landlords $1,000 who rent to illegal immigrants.



The Sandwich proposal was opposed by human rights and immigration advocates. Local clergy rallied support of parishioners Sunday against the legislation.



No one has produced evidence of a case involving a Sandwich business and the town's attorney said only three businesses in the whole country were sanctioned for violations in 2004.



In other town meeting business, voters approved $578,000 in additional spending for the schools. Money will be used to fund curriculum work for the elementary language arts and math programs, new computers and to rehire staff.



Voters also approved spending $400,000 in community preservation funds to repair the Upper Shawme Dam, which is considered at ''significant'' risk to fail.



George Brennan can be reached at gbrennan@capecodonline.com.


(Published: September 26, 2006)

Copyright © Cape Cod Times. All rights reserved.


Paul W Schrader* (50 477-3911* 204 Farmersville Rd,* Sandwich, MA 02563

Well that is good for the town of Sandwich as they too will soon be overrun with them and all those sitting in their nice homes will see their crime rates skyrocket and their town coffers emptied. Serves them right, liberals