Mass. Senate OKs some curbs on illegal immigrants

May 26, 2010 7:24 PM ET

BOSTON (AP) - The Massachusetts Senate has approved an amendment limiting illegal immigrant access to some unemployment and welfare benefits.

The amendment, which passed on 32-6 vote, quashed a more expansive Republican-sponsored measure which would have barred illegal immigrants from a wider range of benefits.

A similar measure was narrowly defeated in the Massachusetts House last month.

Earlier Wednesday, immigrant advocates held a press conference to criticize Republican-sponsored measures which they said contributed to an "anti-immigrant fever."

Senate President Therese Murray issued a statement later faulting Anti-Defamation League of New England director Derrek Shulman for drawing parallels between the language of white supremacists and neo-Nazis and some public officials.


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