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New rights for immigrants proposed
By Cyndi Roy
Thursday, October 6, 2005

STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE

As the immigrant population swells in Massachusetts, one state lawmaker is pushing legislation he says would make it easier for foreigners to become legal residents. But others say the bill would encourage immigrants to live here illegally.

A bill filed by Rep. Byron Rushing, D-Boston, and co-sponsored by 10 House Democrats would prohibit state agencies and employees from inquiring into individual immigrants' legal status when they seek state services, unless required by federal or state statute, or court decision.

The bill would also prohibit the state from establishing regulations or requirements denying assistance or participation in state programs on the basis of immigration status, except as required by federal or state law.

"It's obvious we only benefit from immigrants coming to Massachusetts," Rushing told members of the Legislature's Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Monday. "We should go on record absolutely saying we really want immigrants here and we will do everything we can to get them regularized if they're not."

Rushing said the bill would remove barriers immigrants face while trying to become legal residents or citizens. Many immigrants, he said, don't know where to get help with immigration issues. Others, he said, are afraid to seek services for fear they'll be deported or later denied citizenship.

Rushing's testimony quickly drew opposition from Rep. Marie Parente, D-Milford, who said the bill would encourage immigrants to come to Massachusetts illegally. Parente was one of only two members who attended the hearing.

"I'm concerned about any law that grants citizenship status to illegal immigrants," she said. "There are not barriers, but hoops these people have to jump through, and they should be required to."

According to a MassINC report released in June, the immigrant population in Massachusetts is at an all-time high, with one in seven residents having been born in a foreign country. The foreign-born share of the labor force has doubled since 1980, to 17 percent, according to the report. The bill would also place into law that the policy of the state is to, "support and encourage any residents in their attempt to obtain legal immigration status and, if they choose, citizenship." The language is modeled after an executive order issued by former Democratic Gov. Michael Dukakis in 1985. That order was later revoked by Republican Gov. William Weld in 1993, following the creation of the Office for Refugees and Immigrants. Rushing said some immigrants now worry that using state services will prevent them from obtaining legal status.

"When they're going through their hearing, they're asked whether they have used state services," Rushing said. "If they have, they are seen as being takers, and not contributing to the state."

He added, "This bill would allow people to come to an agency and find out, 'where do I go?'"

Parente responded, "When you ask where some of them can go, I could tell them where to go."

Ali Noorani, executive director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition said the bill ensures state agencies don't discriminate against immigrants.

"This bill doesn't force every state employee to act as a immigration official," he said.

Committee Co-Chair Anthony Cabral, D-New Bedford, supported the bill last year when it was before the former Human Services Committee, and appeared supportive again Monday.

"Immigration is an important thing in Massachusetts," he said. "We are in danger of losing a congressional seat if the population doesn't increase. We need to do something to encourage people to come here."
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