Thread: Milford Cracks Down On Illegal Immigrants

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Milford Cracks Down On Illegal Immigrants
New Bylaws Stir Controversy

POSTED: 1:10 pm EDT August 2, 2006
UPDATED: 3:00 pm EDT August 2, 2006

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MILFORD, Mass. -- Mayors, city attorneys and police chiefs from around the country are calling to find out what one Massachusetts town is doing to reduce its illegal immigration problem.

Team 5 Investigates looked at the motives behind Milford's changing bylaws and why they're getting so much attention and criticism.

NewsCenter 5's Sean Kelly reported that some Milford residents in the working-class town affectionately call them "the ladder people."


Almost every Sunday, immigrants gather by the hundreds to play volleyball. The majority of the hard working people are from Ecuador, but some come from Brazil. No one knows with any certainty just how many of them are documented.

"I can't remember an immigrant from Ecuador that we've dealt with that's not here illegally. No, we just haven't had that experience," said Milford Police Chief Thomas O'Loughlin.

O'Loughlin said the town needed to do something since the federal government has not.

"Security of our borders is a joke. Right here in Milford it's not a handful of people here illegally -- it's thousands," he said.

Milford's town leaders decided they can't control the illegal immigration problem, but they can do something to relieve negative effects that came with it.

"So your traditional apartments are now becoming traditional rooming houses," said Milford Board of Heath Director Paul Mazzuchell.

Small apartments sometimes house eight to 10 people, often from different families.

"Music, noise, drinking is generally the nature of the calls," said O'Loughlin. "It's a party in the making because of the sheer number of people living in the same dwelling."

Health officials were startled to learn that in 2005, Milford had nine tuberculosis cases they attributed to illegal immigrants and overcrowded conditions. This year, they know of four.

The owner of the mattress store in town told police he never has to empty his Dumpster because immigrants are here first to remove the mattresses. And that too has led to a bylaw that said it's illegal to pick garbage.

The town passed other bylaws that caused critics to question the motive and fairness.

"When you're out to protect the public and public health which is the way we're going at it, sometimes political correctness has to take a back seat and that's what we're up against and that's the attitude more cities and towns have to have." said Mazzuchelli.

One new bylaw limits occupancy rates, another forces undocumented workers in the food industry to at least show proof of a health screening. The latest bylaw would change the definition of family for zoning purposes. The bylaw must still get approval from the attorney general and the Americans Civil Liberties Union is watching it closely.

"I know who they're targeting because it's pretty clear," said Ron Madnick, of the ACLU.

Today in Milford, any number of people can live together in a single home. But if the new bylaw is approved any more than three aunts, uncles or cousins in a single home won't be allowed.

"The only thing I'm interested in is, is the bylaw constitutional or not? I don't think it is. Is this bylaw necessary? I don't think it is," said Madnick.

The residents Team 5 tried to talk to didn't want to appear on camera out of fear. But critics argue these regulations are being passed to push new immigrants out.

Mazzuchelli is Milford is not anti-immigration.

"No, we're not. That's how this country was built. I think we're anti-illegal immigrant," he said.
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"The only thing I'm interested in is, is the bylaw constitutional or not? I don't think it is. Is this bylaw necessary? I don't think it is," said Madnick.

Mr. Madnick, where in the Constitution does it state rights for illegals?