Taxpayers deserve ‘sanctuary’

Saturday, May 26, 2018


State Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton)

This week the Massachusetts Senate demonstrated why people don’t trust politicians. Late Thursday night, it slipped through a budget amendment that would essentially establish the commonwealth as a “sanctuary state.” The classification would prevent law enforcement from making inquiries into the residency status of immigrants.

There is nothing “budgetary” about giving illegal immigrants special protections. Not only did the Senate completely disrespect law-abiding Bay Staters by advocating on behalf of non-citizens on time meant to be spent in service to its constituents, but it brazenly misused the process for a boutique, progressive cause.

Earlier in the month, one state senator proudly proclaimed that the issue was part of a bigger battle against a more ominous threat. Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) declared that “sanctuary state” status “limits the damage to our economy due to Donald Trump’s xenophobic agenda.”

The taxpayers of Massachusetts deserve priority status from their elected officials. The Legislature certainly has the capacity to pass laws that directly benefit legal citizens. They proved that last year when they approved $18 million in pay raises for themselves.

http://www.bostonherald.com/opinion/...erve_sanctuary