Friday, May 28, 2010

Massachusetts' Senate Surprises Many With Strict Anti-Illegal Immigration Bill

Is Arizona catching on?

Senate vote hits illegal residents
Measure restricts immigrants’ access to state services
By Noah Bierman and Maria Sacchetti
Globe Staff / May 28, 2010

The Massachusetts Senate passed a far-reaching crackdown yesterday on illegal immigrants and those who hire them, going further, senators said, than any immigration bill proposed over the past five years.

In a measure of just how politically potent illegal immigration has become, the Senate, on a 28-10 vote, replaced a far milder budget amendment it had passed Wednesday. The sweeping provision, if it makes it into law, would toughen or expand rules that bar illegal immigrants from public health care, housing, and higher education benefits.

The amendment would also clear the way for courts, the state attorney general, and even average citizens to get new tools, including an anonymous hot line, to report illegal immigrants or companies that employ them to the government. Read more at Boston.com.
Five other states are considering a law similar to that passed recently by Arizona, but the Massachusetts senate has beat them with a far reaching bill that affects employment, housing, and welfare. The question is, will the governor Deval Patrick sign or veto it?

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