Thread: Bartenders serve up drinks, customs checks

Bartenders serve up drinks, customs checks
Policy at 2 halls called unfair to immigrants

By Maria Sacchetti

All the 33-year-old illegal immigrant wanted was a beer. After nearly a decade in this country, the Irish national knew to steer clear of police and federal agents. But he was stunned this month when a bartender at the Orpheum refused to serve him because his passport lacked a US Customs stamp.

The man grabbed his passport and fled, abandoning a $60 orchestra seat at a Ray Davies concert and igniting a debate over a new policy that one of the country’s largest concessionaires imposed at the Orpheum and at another popular live-music venue in Boston.

Officials at the Boston Culinary Group said they started checking for customs stamps last year to ensure that passports are authentic, not to enforce immigration law.

But critics of the policy say that the stamp is no guarantee of validity and that checking for it is frightening to immigrants.

“I said, ‘Who are you, immigration?â€

..too bad, so sad. Violationg our immigration laws, our driving privilege laws and employment laws is no BADGE OF HONOR. Go home and come back legally like everyone else. No pity party going on here anymore.

[quote]Daniel F. Pokaski - chairman of Boston’s Licensing Board, which issues alcohol licenses - said he had never heard of local bartenders checking for a customs stamp before serving a customer.

“I wouldn’t recommend it if, in fact, it does have the side effect of denying illegal immigrants the right to have a cocktail,â€

the right to have a cocktail

What? I did not see the right to have a cocktail mentioned in the constitution. If that were true, 18 year olds would have that 'right'

W

Thats rich, now we are going to protect the white illegal immigrant.

The real trick is to inform me, a white male, legal American, how I can break the law and get away with it, or not to fear the reprecussions of law and order. I am still trying to figure out how to avoid paying the fines from speeding tickets. So far I have only come up with the thought of not speeding.

I was a Bartender for many years. If you suspect a fake ID you have the right to refuse to serve anyone... period. If you think they have had too much.. same thing. Having a drink is a privilege.. Just like Driving..

[quote]“I wouldn’t recommend it if, in fact, it does have the side effect of denying illegal immigrants the right to have a cocktail,â€

I can't wait til passports are required for entry by land, in 2009! How will illegal aliens get their passports?

Originally Posted by miguelina

I can't wait til passports are required for entry by land, in 2009! How will illegal aliens get their passports?

Those who enter this country illegally will only have to find their nearest Mexican Consulate who will then issue these illegals a Mexican Passport. All they need is a birth certificate which states they were born in Mexico. Not hard at all for them to get a Mexican Passport.

Originally Posted by NoBueno

Originally Posted by miguelina

I can't wait til passports are required for entry by land, in 2009! How will illegal aliens get their passports?

Those who enter this country illegally will only have to find their nearest Mexican Consulate who will then issue these illegals a Mexican Passport. All they need is a birth certificate which states they were born in Mexico. Not hard at all for them to get a Mexican Passport.

I don't know, NoBueno. If that were the case, why did they institute Matricula cards instead of telling them that passports carried more weight?