Thread: Mass. drunk driving death inspires bipartisan bill cracking

Mass. drunk driving death inspires bipartisan bill cracking down on unauthorized immigrants

By Nicolas Mendoza | 09.26.11 | 3:32 pm

In response to the death of a motorcyclist who was hit by a drunk driver who lacked a driver’s license because he was an undocumented immigrant, Massachusetts lawmakers from both parties introduced legislation on Friday that cracks down on unauthorized immigration.

In addition to increasing the penalties for driving without a license and restricting undocumented immigrants’ access to public benefits and employment, the bill would encourage the implementation of the Secure Communities program in Massachusetts. The MetroWest Daily News reports:

The bill would require the state Executive Office of Public Safety to report to lawmakers on actions it takes to assist with the deployment of Secure Communities, according to a summary provided by [state Sen.] Moore. It would require individuals or businesses seeking to register a vehicle to produce documentation such as a federal tax identification number, license or social security number. The bill would also strengthen penalties for people who drive without a license or knowingly allow someone else to drive their vehicle, according to the summary.

…The legislation also ensures that state-subsidized housing is reserved for legal Massachusetts residents and aims to help local building officials prevent multi-bedroom apartments from housing several families. Employment provisions of the bill include establishing penalties for employers who knowingly hire unauthorized workers and requiring companies seeking public contracts to participate in programs to verify the eligibility of their employees, according to the documents.

The bill would also establish a complaint process by which ordinary people can report employers who hire undocumented immigrants to the District Attorney’s office, with a penalty for false reports.

Matthew Denice, a resident of Milford, Mass., was killed by Nicolas Guaman, an undocumented Ecuadoran immigrant, who struck Denice’s motorcycle with his car. The death led to calls in the community for action against unauthorized immigration. A member of the Milford Board of Selectmen, William Buckley, said of unauthorized immigration: “There’s a real impact. People are dying.â€

Now you're talking, this is awesome! I hope lots of people hop on this bandwagon, it's LONG past due. No more Sanctuary State for MA.