Thread: MD: Will the city give sanctuary to illegals?

Monday, August 13, 2007
Will the city give sanctuary to illegals?

Clive McFarlane
cmcfarlane@telegram.com

T&G STAFF

Will Worcester join cities such as Cambridge in becoming a sanctuary for illegal immigrants?

The City Council will be asked soon to vote on such a designation by a local group, which supports allowing illegal immigrants who currently live and work in the United States to obtain permanent resident status and to be given the option of applying for citizenship.

The Worcester Immigrant Coalition’s petition, which is not yet finished, would first be reviewed by the city’s Human Rights Commission and then forwarded to the City Council, where a subcommittee, possibly the one on ethnic and minority affairs, would discuss the issue.


The issue will be a delicate one for council members, who are wary of taking any action that would seem to condone illegal immigration. On the other hand, most councilors are also sympathetic to the idea of protecting Worcester residents from the debacle that befell immigrants in New Bedford in March.

That was when federal immigration officials arrested more than 300 illegal workers at Michael Bianco Inc. in that city, busting up families and shuttling scores of immigrants off to detention centers in Massachusetts and Texas.

The sanctuary petition here in Worcester, and its implementation in several cities, reflect a lack of leadership at the federal level, according to District 4 Councilor Barbara G. Haller. As a result of the federal government impasse on immigration reform, local communities are being forced to wrestle with the issue in various ways, she said.

“It is a seriously controversial issue, even within the immigrant community,â€

most councilors are also sympathetic to the idea of protecting Worcester residents from the debacle that befell immigrants in New Bedford in March.

That was when federal immigration officials arrested more than 300 illegal workers at Michael Bianco Inc. in that city, busting up families and shuttling scores of immigrants off to detention centers in Massachusetts and Texas.

... Bleeding Heart Alert! Since when is arresting ILLEGAL ALIENS who have also committed document fraud considered a "debacle"? By the MSM, of course!

whether they should be afforded the same educational, economical and political opportunities as U.S. citizens.

... count me as right of center but, why would this even be discussable or debatable...they are ILLEGAL...therefore end of discussion. The answer is no, morons!

This is the tightrope the City Council will have to walk when this issue comes up for discussion.

... further WUSSIFICATION of America. Just say NO to providing services to ILLEGAL ALIENS...oooops, better make that...Patriotic Undocumented Americans...or...Americans Without Papers.
[quote]It calls for city officials and employees to avoid using the terms “illegalâ€