Thread: Immigrant group apologizes to Parente

http://www.milforddailynews.com/localRe ... leid=95146

Immigrant group apologizes to Parente
By Andrew Lightman/ Daily News Staff
Friday, July 7, 2006

MILFORD -- The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition has issued an apology to state Rep. Marie Parente, D-Milford, after last week criticizing her stance on illegal immigration issues.

Parente, on MIRA's invitation, attended a naturalization ceremony for 100 new U.S. citizens last Wednesday. Later that day, Parente announced she would co-sponsor a bill that, in part, would prevent the state from hiring illegal immigrants.

Following that announcement, MIRA Executive Director Ali Noorani said he was displeased Parente "tarnished" the ceremony and used the event as ammunition to attack undocumented workers.

However, in a June 30 letter to Parente, Noorani said his comments were not meant as a personal attack, and regrets any hard feelings it may have caused.

Reached for comment yesterday, Noorani said he hopes to continue discussions with Parente about immigration.

"This is not about me. This is not about her," he said. "This is about immigrants, and we have a difference of opinion."

Parente said she accepted the written apology from Noorani, and also got apologies from MIRA staff members Eva Millona and Carly Burton, who invited her to the ceremony.

"I've known Ali Noorani for some time," Parente said. "That's why I was surprised with the vehemence in Ali's voice this time. This wasn't the first time we have had this discussion."

While Noorani's job is to advocate for all immigrants, regardless of their legal status, Parente believes stopping illegal immigration is fundamental to the survival of the law and social order of the country.

An uncontrolled, undocumented population puts the health, security and stability of communities at risk, and drains the state's economic resources, Parente said.

In his letter, Noorani also thanked Parente for attending the citizenship event and for her supporting his organization's Citizenship for New Americans program, which assists legal immigrants trying to gain citizenship.

While he respects Parente's opinions, Noorani said he still aims to change Parente's mind.

"While we understand that many may disagree with our position, it is our role to continue to educate the public on the issues facing the entire immigrant and refugee community," Noorani wrote in his letter. "In this way, Representative, I sincerely believe we are trying to make Massachusetts a better place for all residents."

Andrew Lightman can be reached at 508-634-7583 or andrew.lightman@cnc.com.

Ali's smarminess is such that reading or listening to him is enough for me to feel that my lentils and rice are about to heave up. I am a legal immgrant and citizen and any organization that preaches equal rights for illegals sure does not speak for me.

I love it when legal immigrants slam the illegals because they can't say ANYTHING about it without looking even dumber.

added to homepage

http://www.alipac.us/modules.php?name=N ... e&sid=1332

"While we understand that many may disagree with our position, it is our role to continue to educate the public on the issues facing the entire immigrant and refugee community," Noorani wrote in his letter.

Educate the public = convince them laws mean nothing

a bill that, in part, would prevent the state from hiring illegal immigrants.

I just don't get it!!! It's ALREADY AGAINST THE LAW to hire illegals. People keep acting like it's OK to do so now, and they are trying to change it. I am sick of it!!

I just don't get it!!! It's ALREADY AGAINST THE LAW to hire illegals.

uh...it's just for effect. The effect it will have on elections that is!

MOD EDIT

READ THE RULES on the top of each forum.

This is unacceptable!

Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 10:02 am Post subject: illegal aliens

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MOD EDIT

READ THE RULES on the top of each forum.

This is unacceptable!

What is? Truth? Opinion?

Originally Posted by crazybird

Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 10:02 am Post subject: illegal aliens

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MOD EDIT

READ THE RULES on the top of each forum.

This is unacceptable!

What is? Truth? Opinion?

violence