http://www.boston.com/news/local/articl ... phony_ids/

Gadfly targets phony IDs
Poster's image has caused outrage

By John C. Drake, Globe Staff | December 21, 2006

Jim Rizoli, a controversial Framingham critic of illegal immigration, is planning to display a provocative sign in highly visible locations around town to spotlight what he says is the rampant distribution of phony identification cards among immigrants.

The 8-foot-by-3-foot sign, which he first displayed at a small protest in downtown Framingham Saturday, says, "Welcome to Framingham" along the top. Under that, it reads "Document Fraud Capital of MetroWest" on the right. On the left, it displays an image of a mock "Mexifornia " driver's license that has circulated on the Internet, touching off controversy along the way.

"People aren't saying anything about it, because it's so prevalent," Rizoli said of document fraud. "There are so many people involved with document fraud in Framingham that it is beyond comprehension."

Rizoli said he decided to include the image of the mock license because it illustrates the absurdity of the problem.

"When you can't get a problem solved, the only way you can solve it is just making fun of it," he said.

But the image has stirred controversy in the past. It includes an image of a bandit wearing a sombrero and has a scrawled "X" in place of the signature.

In California's Monterrey County, employees who circulated the image to some 3,200 public employees were required to undergo racial sensitivity training after some recipients complained, according to a 2003 Associated Press article.

It was created by opponents of California proposals to allow illegal immigrants to obtain state driver's licenses and receive other benefits.

Ali Noorani, executive director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, said the sign matches a pattern of over-the-top tactics used by Jim Rizoli and his brother Joe.

"If I had a nickel for every line the Rizolis crossed, I'd be a rich man," Noorani said.

He disputed the suggestion that Framingham was allowing document fraud to go unchecked.

"Unless somebody has the data to back up a statement like that, they're really just ranting and raving," Noorani said. "When you look at the journey of Framingham, it's impossible to dispel the fact that immigrants have brought Framingham back, and once again Framingham is a thriving town and really the center of MetroWest."

"The sign should read, 'Framingham: Comeback City of MetroWest. Thank you, immigrants,' " Noorani said.

Rizoli said he wants to display the sign on overpasses and other prominent locations in town. Rizoli hosts a program, "Illegal Immigration Chat," on Framingham public-access television, and he has made the issue the focus of several unsuccessful runs for public office.

John C. Drake can be reached at 508-820-4229 or jdrake@globe.com.