Thread: Governor wants troopers to bust invaders

Don't know if this was posted already, but good news.

http://www.lowellsun.com/front/ci_3967655

Romney: State troopers should have power to arrest illegal immigrants
By REBECCA FATER, Sun Statehouse Bureau

BOSTON -- Days after Attorney General Tom Reilly reaffirmed his promise not to hunt down companies that hire illegal immigrants, Gov. Mitt Romney has decided to take matters into his own hands.

Romney, who is considering a run for president in 2008, has asked his legal counsel to explore the possibility of entering into an agreement with the federal government that would authorize state troopers to arrest illegal immigrants, said spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom yesterday.

Under such an agreement, "if a state police officer makes a motor vehicle stop and has reason to believe that the driver is an illegal alien, he can detain the individual on that basis," said Fehrnstrom. Currently, only federal immigration officials have such authority.

A handful of states have entered into similar agreements with the federal government under a program known as 287G. The program is part of a law Congress passed in 1996 that gives states the option of working with federal officials to combat illegal immigration.

Reilly, who reaffirmed his office's position two days ago, announced in 2001 that he would not crack down on companies employing illegal immigrants. Reilly spokesman Dave Guarino said yesterday that the attorney general's main focus is to prosecute worker exploitation by companies in terms of wages and hours. Immigration concerns, he said, do not fall under the attorney general's responsibility.

"The federal government is the primary enforcer for immigration laws," Guarino said. "We knew that if workers felt like they would be turned over to federal officials that they wouldn't come forward, and we wouldn't be able to build the many cases (against companies) that we've built."

Reilly has since recouped $17 million for workers who had been exploited by their companies as a result, he added.

Fehrnstrom said Romney's intentions are consistent with his concern for the law.

"Romney has vetoed legislation to provide tuition breaks to illegal immigrants. He's opposed to giving them driver's licenses. He doesn't think government should be condoning illegal behavior. This new initiative is a away for us to assist the federal government in their efforts to enforce the law," he said.

Reilly has since recouped $17 million for workers who had been exploited by their companies as a result, he added.

What has he recouped for the American taxpayer?

Why is it always that government has to continue to allow the illegals to work, etc, 'so they won't be afraid to come forward'. They have used that argument over and over.

They have said the police can't enforce immigration laws because then the illegals won't cooperate with them or come forward when they are crime victims.

They have said they can't enforce immigration laws because then the illegals won't seek medical care, food, or education.

That's kinda like saying, we won't prosecute felons who get wounded in the commission of a felony because they might be afraid to seek the medical attention they need.

It is just feel good gobbledly goop - it makes no sense.

Immigration concerns, he said, do not fall under the attorney general's responsibility.

I would suggest catching and punishing law breakers is every American citizens responsibility, from the citizen whom reports a law breaker to the attorney general whose job it is to prosecute said law breakers. Furthermore, what Mr. Reilly seems to have forgotten is his responsibility to protect and serve Mass. citizens. Gov. Romney understands his responsibility, why can't Mr. Reilly understand his? As of late it seems everyone wants to deny responsibility for the issues that are encouraging and promoting illegal immigration. The easy cop-out seems to be "it's the federal governments responsibility." Well, that may be, but when the federal governments fails in its responsibility - local and state government should look to expanding their responsibility in order to better protect state and community interests and their citizens.

Romney, who is considering a run for president in 2008, has asked his legal counsel to explore the possibility of entering into an agreement with the federal government that would authorize state troopers to arrest illegal immigrants, said spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom yesterday.

Under such an agreement, "if a state police officer makes a motor vehicle stop and has reason to believe that the driver is an illegal alien, he can detain the individual on that basis," said Fehrnstrom. Currently, only federal immigration officials have such authority.

If Governor Romney is considering a run for president in 2008 then he is on the RIGHT TRACK of what it will take for any candidate to win. Americans have HAD IT. It's evident that Governor Romney understands that.

Currently, only federal immigration officials have such authority.

Well it certainly appears to US that they need help.

They have said they can't enforce immigration laws because then the illegals won't seek medical care, food, or education.

...more's the pity!

That's kinda like saying, we won't prosecute felons who get wounded in the commission of a felony because they might be afraid to seek the medical attention they need.

Or like the death row executions that cause pain - awwwww, even more piteous.