Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone today vowed to continue protecting immigrant families - including enforcing local edicts barring police from turning people into ICE for minor infractions - even at the risk of losing millions in federal aid.
Walsh vowed to use Boston City Hall itself as a sanctuary for immigrants threatened by the federal government if necessary, at an afternoon press conference at City Hall.
"You are safe in Boston," he told immigrants. "We will protect you."
Walsh said he will not waste "vital" police resources on any ICE roundups and that he is not concerned about a cut off of funds.
"No. We are going to protect, collectively, the people in this state."
"We see you and we've got your back," City Council President Michelle Wu told immigrants. "President Trump wants to tear us apart, but this only makes us stronger."
"What the president did today is an attack on the city of Boston" and similar cities, Wu said.
Walsh said he did not know how much money Boston could lose if Trump follows through on his threat to withhold all federal funds from sanctuary cities. For the fiscal year that ended in July, the city received about $250 million in federal funds for everything from education to homeland security.
Watch Walsh's and Wu's statements.
Ron Newman reports from Somerville City Hall: "Somerville will remain a sanctuary city," Curtatone said.
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Comments
"Best quality of life for all Bostonians"
By anon
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 4:21pm
Wouldn't that include working to have criminals who are here illegally removed?
Ah, you used the magic word
By adamg
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 5:08pm
Criminals.
Local police departments work quite well with the feds on combatting criminals from other countries.
Key to some of these investigations is gaining the cooperation of local residents, which those same police departments earn by working with them and ensuring they will be safe from the sort of wholescale sweep-up-everybody raids Dear Leader is promising.
So even if you don't give a shit about civil liberties and basic human decency, there might be a reason to appreciate the sort of cooperation, even protection, people like Marty Walsh are talking about.
And if you do care about such things, you might recall that the last time we had such a national witch hunt, hundreds of American citizens got swept up and shipped to Mexico. Imagine somebody today trying to get back into the US without a passport.
Am I missing something?
By anon
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 7:04pm
Why do people consistently overlook the fact that undocumented immigrants (formerly called "illegal aliens") already committing a crime simply by the fact that they are undocumented immigrants? They don't necessarily have to be drug dealers or bank robbers. Whether they overstayed their visa (which is the usual way), or floated in on an innertube as cliche often has it,
the fact cannnot be ignored that they are already living in a state of broken law. I am not for any kind of wholesale rounding up, but some sort of control needs to be maintained.
Not criminals
By Matt
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 7:21pm
Actually, depending on how you get here, being an immigrant or undocumented immigrant isn't illegal nor a crime. So they cant just be arrested or deported just for being immigrants. And furthermore, illegal entry is usually only a misdemeanor anyway.
I'm lucky, I didn't have to do anything to get permission to be here. A lot of other people arent so lucky, and have to get in either through our givernment systems or otherwise. Generally, this is a good place to be and you can't blame people for wanting to come. I would too if I wasn't already.
If I left the country without a passport or id, how would i get back in? If I had by chance been born elsewhere, how would i get back in? What decides who is allowed here or not?
ooh pick me, I know the answer to this!
By Nick L
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 8:29pm
Because unlawful presence in this country, whether by overstaying a visa or crossing the border, is NOT A CRIME. It's a civil offense. Always has been. Nobody is 'overlook[ing] the fact' because it's not a fact.
Then again, maybe you have alternative facts that say the Immigration and Nationality Act doesn't say what it clearly says.
You're committing a crime...
By lbb
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 8:43pm
...when you exceed the speed limit.
What's your point?
By anon
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 8:59pm
If you exceed the speed limit you are committing a crime which is punishable under law.
It is a crime, but who is harmed?
By lbb
Thu, 01/26/2017 - 8:50am
My point is that there are many laws broken every day without harmful consequences to anyone. We know that -- it's a fact of life. That doesn't mean that the law is pointless and shouldn't be on the books, but when prioritizing which crimes should be law enforcement's highest priorities, shouldn't we think first about which ones do the most harm?
I think that this is what the present-day incarnation of the sanctuary movement is about (well, at least 90% of it) -- simply saying that local police resources won't be diverted to make local police officers act as immigration control. It's a recognition of the reality on the ground, that most immigrants of whatever status are simply people trying to live their lives. And isn't it more problematic and disruptive of society if we harass people like that?
Funny you should mention that
By BostonDog
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 9:14pm
Deaths due to traffic fatalities vastly outnumbers deaths due to violent crime, including terrorism.
If you're generally a law abiding citizen the biggest threat you face is transportation related. (Excluding cancer, etc.)
No.
By dirtywater77
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 9:38pm
Speeding is not a crime in Massachusetts. Please learn the difference between criminal and civil offenses, and stop spreading false information.
If you go fast enough it is.
By dmcboston
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 11:50pm
Then it's an arrestable offense.
Might be a good analogy. If you're here illegally, you can be deported. That's a fact, always has been and will not change. The issue is when do we enforce that. If an illegal (hey, good enough for SCOTUS, good enough for me) commits a serious offense, then that's different.
There's a world of difference between some gangster and some guy just trying to make a better world for his family.
So that would mean it's just
By avjudge
Fri, 01/27/2017 - 3:44am
So that would mean it's just as much a crime as being in the country illegally!
DIY Pokemon
By anon
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 8:44pm
A wild troll has appeared.
You used humanity on the troll it's supper effective and caused paralysis.
The troll fainted.
If that's a crime, it's a victimless crime
By Ron Newman
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 11:30pm
I'm not against deporting convicted violent criminals who are undocumented (it costs less than keeping them in prison here), but just being here is not hurting anyone.
Not a sanctuary for violent criminals
By Ron Newman
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 5:42pm
Mayor Curtatone said that explicitly.
You just might see ICE
By Will
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 9:21pm
You just might see ICE vehicles and other U.S. Government agencies in upcoming days or weeks driving around East Boston, Chelsea and Revere offering cash rewards for those that know who and where are the illegals hideout areas are, countless raids will be going on soon.
Trump is acting like hitler.
Or you might not.
By dmcboston
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 11:51pm
What you're saying is pure conjecture.
It seems Mayor Walsh doesn't
By anon
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 4:26pm
It seems Mayor Walsh doesn't seen any difference at all between a legal immigrant and and illegal immigrant.
It seems
By perruptor
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 6:42pm
It seems Donald Trump doesn't seen any difference at all between a legal immigrant and and undocumented immigrants.
Can you point us to a speech
By anon
Thu, 01/26/2017 - 10:59am
Can you point us to a speech or statement where Trump says anything negative referencing the word "immigrant" without the word "illegal" in front of it? I can't.
"Undocumented" is newspeak,
By anon
Thu, 01/26/2017 - 2:33pm
"Undocumented" is newspeak, used by the left.
THANK YOU
By Michael
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 4:30pm
With the Democrats in Washington doubling down on their commitment to sit on their thumbs until this all somehow blows over, it's nice to see a show of backbone from our local elected officials.
Must be...
By THE_WIZ
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 4:34pm
An election year...
Just make sure the homeless vets stay on mass n cass while illegals cram into public housing and illegally sub let for cash.
Also, make sure all Boston jobs go to "Boston" residents...like all the votes that got him elected were from true City residents only. Lol
"This town needs an enema!"- the joker
Blah blah Alt Fact Blah!
By SwirlyGrrl
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 4:42pm
Blah blah talking point blah blah unsubstantiated just so story blah blah hate blah blah blah alt fact blah blah blah
The dame
By THE_WIZ
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 4:49pm
In the ivory tower "speaks."
Been working for the city for a long time now.
My observations are authentic and steadfast.
My results may not be empirical, nor to your liking....but naturalistic observation is an intrinsic aspect of the scientific process.
Your quote squirrellygirl, is a projection of your own hysterics.
I figure your a big Freud fan.....
[citation needed]
By anon
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 5:16pm
Statistics to prove it or STFU
Not ivory tower
By SwirlyGrrl
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 6:02pm
Despise Freud.
Thoroughly despise his nonempirical followers obsessed with philosophy over evidence.
The projection is all yours.
Is your nickname "GIGO?"
By whyaduck
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 4:46pm
Garbage In. Garbage Out.
Thank you!
By Elena
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 4:40pm
Thank you, Mayors Walsh and Curtatone. You make us proud.
If we lose millions in
By anon
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 4:43pm
If we lose millions in Federal aid, what does that mean? I'm serious, please. No snide remarks. I sincerely and concerned and want to know. I am not a Trump supporter AT ALL and I want to know what happens if we lose millions in Federal aid. Does that mean Massachusetts will have to reevaluate/reallocate/shift around budget items to accommodate such significant loss? Or, does the Federal Government stipulate exactly which programs they are cutting off? Will taxpayers suffer because of this consequence? Will it cause the closure of even more homeless shelters, after school programs, etc., etc., etc.? AGGGHHHHH!!!
We stop paying our federal taxes
By anon
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 5:17pm
We already subsidize southern states who don't pay enough for their own upkeep.
Then we join Canada with the rest of Province New.
Ya that
By anon
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 5:31pm
Will never happen.
Said King George
By SwirlyGrrl
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 5:56pm
Said King George
Said Abraham Lincoln.
By dmcboston
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 11:53pm
Said Abraham Lincoln.
Canada Doesn't Have
By anon
Thu, 01/26/2017 - 1:05pm
Canada enforces its immigration law
Canada has illegal immigrants
By R Hookup
Fri, 01/27/2017 - 9:32am
Canada has illegal immigrants as well, though having the US as a buffer between it and much poorer countries does minimize it.
a modest proposal
By bibliotequetres...
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 8:00pm
What if we passed a new revenue bill with a 2020 sunset clause, that would temporarily increase MA income tax, allowing residents to then claim it as a deduction off our federal taxes?
There must be a CPA amongst the UHubbers who can weighh in on how this might be possible.
Iffy
By KSquared
Thu, 01/26/2017 - 8:47am
Since deducting state taxes on the federal tax form requires you to itemize deductions, that would have to be a pretty sizable tax increase for those non-mortgage holders to justify itemizing.\
/TaxNerd
thanks, tax nerd!
By bibliotequtress...
Thu, 01/26/2017 - 5:45pm
Okay, we make it sizable, then wipe out the fee for online itemized filing on mass.dor.gov. I've itemized for various reasons for so long now, it's second nature, but maybe the state could work with TurboTax or whomever to come up with simple filing software for folks to declare income tax.
if you are going to raise the
By anon
Fri, 01/27/2017 - 8:51am
if you are going to raise the state tax rate, dedicate the proceeds to fixing the MBTA. never rnind the circumventious shenanigans with the sunset.
If we lose millions in
By rachel_sez
Thu, 01/26/2017 - 12:12am
If we lose millions in federal aid, will GE have to pay for their own freakin' helipad? *gasp*
Full video of Mayor Curtatone's press conference
By Ron Newman
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 4:53pm
Here. (I do not know how to embed a video)
Trump will probably pay $1000
By Will
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 5:03pm
Trump will probably pay $1000 to those who know where illegals are hiding around Boston.
Not legal
By anon
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 5:21pm
Not that it will stop him.
Other illegals might not cooperate with police is a joke
By O-FISH-L
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 5:53pm
This is the reddest of red herrings. Illegal immigrant witnesses to crime have no fear, since cooperating local and state police only report to ICE the names of those arrested not those who are witnesses. In fact, cooperating with police would benefit a witness at any future deportation hearing for those who have cut the line.
Also, what is the punishment for a police officer, who took an oath of office to enforce the laws, when he reports a federal law breaker/ illegal alien to ICE? I would love to be a fly on the wall at that Civil Service hearing, better yet on the receiving end of the payout after lawsuit. Does the non-cooperation with ICE policy negate the policy requiring officers to cooperate with other federal agencies? If the illegal has already been deported once and returns (felony) does that make Walsh and Curtatone an accessory before or after the fact? They and their ilk may want to look into the Homestead Act and a decent personal liability policy. You can't make it up.
The only joke here
By SwirlyGrrl
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 6:00pm
The fake cop with his truthyish taking points and alternative facts once again spewing lies.
Everything you say is undocumented. Perhaps you should deport your computer.
deport your computer?
By Scumquistador
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 6:06pm
how did you know it didn't belong?
syntax error
hahahaha man, what a great time to be alive
That's how they got robo-Capone
By erik g
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 6:10pm
Syntax fraud.
ai capone
By Scumquistador
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 8:24pm
ai capone
You can't make it up.
By erik g
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 6:09pm
And yet here you are, doing just that, day in and day out.
Bugger off, you crypto-fascist wannabe cop.
no human being is illegal.
By bandit
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 6:47pm
people may commit illegal acts, but they are not themselves illegal.
According to the law...
By dmcboston
Thu, 01/26/2017 - 12:00am
...their presence here is illegal. If I'm in your kitchen without your permission, I'm trespassing.
Swirl can berate FISH all she wants, but his post contains valid points.
Nope
By anon
Thu, 01/26/2017 - 9:02am
Civil offence - like a parking ticket.
in this case their actions are illegal...
By bandit
Thu, 01/26/2017 - 10:45am
...but they are not. i know it's a semantic difference, but it has a large impact on how we view and think about other human beings.
and i didn't comment on any other part of FISH's post, nor did i mean it to negate anything else he said. i pick my battles ;-)
This is exactly the semantic
By Ryan
Thu, 01/26/2017 - 4:48pm
This is exactly the semantic difference between an "illegal gun" and an "illegally-possessed gun". Perhaps both sides could agree to use the correct terminology on the respective issues?
so first of all...
By bandit
Fri, 01/27/2017 - 8:41am
... there is a world of difference between calling a human being inherently illegal and calling an inanimate object inherently illegal. one dehumanizes, and the other doesn't.
but second of all, you also might want to assume that there are more than two sides in the world. my opinions on immigration do not necessarily automatically correlate with my opinions on gun ownership. for example, i am crazy liberal on most topics, but i am also a gun owner. so in this case, i might tend to agree with you. as you know, a gun that is illegal to possess in massachusetts might be legal to own in another state. the gun isn't illegal. the possession of the gun is.
Big difference
By Bob Leponge
Thu, 01/26/2017 - 12:53pm
If you are in my kitchen without my permission, you are trespassing, which is a crime. If you overstay your visa, you are here illegally and are subject to deportation, but you have not committed a crime.
People seem to have an impossibly difficult time understanding this.
The vast majority of things that are illegal are not crimes, and the government's remedy is to force you to correct the illegal condition, but there is no penalty.
For example, if your new bathroom addition is not plumbed according to code, it is illegal, but you have committed no crime. The city's remedy is to force you to fix the code violation.
As a cop did you report EVERY
By Banrion
Thu, 01/26/2017 - 7:36am
As a cop did you report EVERY broken tail light or expired inspection to the RMV? Did you stop EVERY speeder on the road? EVERY driver who couldn't clear an intersection?
Why did you violate your oath and let all those ILLEGAL drivers go free?
ok great
By Scumquistador
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 6:04pm
we're a sanctuary city. thats all well and good. we're losing millions in federal funding, that is unfortunate.
companies like GE still end up with sweetheart deals to come to boston WHY?
Federal law trumps,
By anon
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 6:05pm
pardon the expression, municipal and state. People who call themselves progressives usually love pointing this out.
Amen
By Lunchbox
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 8:59pm
The Constitution grants the federal government alone the power to regulate immigration. End of story. States and cities cannot, and should not, be making their own immigration policies - even if the federal policy sucks.
For most on the left, states' rights and nullifcation have long been dirty words (for good reason). Now they're practicing the same thing that Southerners were in the 60s. Great.
It's not an "immigration policy"
By lbb
Thu, 01/26/2017 - 9:38am
It is not an "immigration policy". It is a policy about the priorities and scope of local law enforcement. Do you also expect the BPD to enforce US trade regulations?
Separation of Powers
By anon
Thu, 01/26/2017 - 11:00am
I know that may be as foreign to you as the idea that the President has legal restrictions on power, but you might want to read those tricky governing documents known as the Constitution and Bill of Rights some time - as well as the 230 years of case law that interpret them.
Not really
By Bob Leponge
Thu, 01/26/2017 - 12:55pm
I don't expect the Boston Police Department to enforce copyright law, EPA regulations, or IRS tax filing deadlines. And I don't expect them to enforce Federal immigration law either.
Polic
By Tom32456754
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 6:09pm
You try and play by the rules and you can't find enough LICENSED plumbers, electricians and carpenters to finish your jobs properly, even if it means you come back every 2 months and ask everything good? Do you need anything else, etc? But no they are too busy to follow up, ok? But now City Hall stands with the unlicensed, undocumented workers that if you use them you risk fines, lawsuits, stop work orders, delays etc. I will go to the mayor's office and personally deliver it to him. You lose federal funding and make Trump your enemy, ok, politics and it becomes the mayor's problem. But you really want to help these people document these guys who take classes, have contracting experience and set up a database and tell the public they are qualified, honest and ready to work. Otherwise this is just talk. Also someone said Trump might green light the Green Line Extension but that could be pulled now.
Or we could get rid of the
By Ryan
Thu, 01/26/2017 - 4:12pm
Or we could get rid of the protectionist racket that is occupational licensing. Same end result, except more choice (and competition means lower prices) for the consumer!
Elected officials take an oath...
By E
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 6:19pm
... upon taking office, to uphold ALL laws. Both of them have violated this oath, I'm sure most reasonable people would believe.
People in the country illegally, are already criminals, because they have violated our immigration laws.
About that oath thing
By lbb
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 6:22pm
Trump took an oath last Friday, and he's already broken it multiple times. Get some perspective or STFU.
STFU?
By adamg
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 7:44pm
OK, time out, guys.
I realize things are a bit tense right now, but come on, try to be civil to each other. Especially to people who go to the extra trouble of getting an account.
Thanks.
im a sociopath
By Scumquistador
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 8:00pm
i cant help the way i post
Heh.
By dmcboston
Thu, 01/26/2017 - 12:08am
"Trump took an oath last Friday, and he's already broken it multiple times. Get some perspective or STFU."
You seem to have a tenuous grasp of the law. What laws has he broken? As some say here, "Citation, please."
Oh, by the way lil buckaroo, Secretary of Defense James Mattis (he can't be made, it's illegal, remember?) says hi...
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Releases/News-Re...
First Wetback
By Sock_Puppet
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 6:32pm
You mean like Melania Trump, right? She violated immigration law by working in the US without a work visa. AP News
So we can start with the First Wetback. Per your definition, she was a criminal when Slovenia hacked her up in New York. Is she still a criminal?
the language is unnecessary.
By bandit
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 6:43pm
you could've made that point without the racist slur.
interesting you chose not to.
Uh oh
By SwirlyGrrl
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 6:53pm
You've offended the TONE POLICE!
OMG you used some pretty fucking nasty words and some wimpy douche is clutching pearls!
Democracy is under attack and WE MUST USE ONLY NICE WORDS OMG!!!!!!
hey swirly, you feeling okay?
By bandit
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 7:07pm
and this is actual general concern, not trolling. because i am pretty sure that nobody has ever accused me of being a wimpy douche before? and while i have been known to have a bit of a potty mouth, and drop an f-bomb or two, i am 100% sure i haven't used racial slurs on this board ever. and there is a huge difference between the two.
p sure
By Scumquistador
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 7:21pm
shes just pretending to be what she imagines an average trump supporter to be
if not, well, shame on me for trying to identify somebody's motive
honestly shame on me anyway. who even cares.
Slur?
By Sock_Puppet
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 7:08pm
I'm just saying Trumpski has a soggy mattress.
Operation Wetback
By E.K.
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 8:54pm
Perhaps Swirly was making a reference to Operation Wetback - yes, what it actually was called by our government. It was an immigrant deportation program back in the 1950s.
Though, to be fair, Melania isn't Mexican. /snark
Different operation
By Sock_Puppet
Thu, 01/26/2017 - 7:10am
For Trumpski, Operation Wetback means teenage Russian prostitutes and a hotel bed.
You're right.
By dmcboston
Thu, 01/26/2017 - 12:20am
"You mean like Melania Trump, right? She violated immigration law by working in the US without a work visa."
Yup. According to your own link, she should have waited the seven weeks for her paperwork to clear before she did the jobs. Instead, she jumped the gun a bit.
Doesn't seem like the most major of offenses.
Incorrect
By perruptor
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 6:57pm
That's wrong. Here is the oath for MA elected officials:
Notice that there is nothing in there about upholding any Federal law.
THANK YOU!
By SwirlyGrrl
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 7:01pm
THANK YOU!
Making the Metaphorical Popcorn
By LadyKatey
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 7:06pm
I'm realizing this is going to come down to a real States vs Feds struggle. We need to do everything we can do to support our state and local governments. Because even if our representatives in Congress can't make much of a difference, our Commonwealth still has power.
So confused.
By E.K.
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 8:57pm
I thought Republicans were supposed to be pro states rights?
This country is hemorrhaging rationality so fast we're going to bleed out.
I KNOW!
By LadyKatey
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 9:37pm
That's why it will be so interesting.
Well, actually...
By dmcboston
Thu, 01/26/2017 - 12:33am
"I thought Republicans were supposed to be pro states rights?"
The Democrats have a long history of proclaiming the sovereignity of states rights, but as some have been pointing out incessantly the past eight years, that's the path of (to borrow someone's style) TRAITORS and CRAPTASTIK inbreds and stuff.
But, that's all old history.
States rights must be balanced against the Federal obligations under the Constitution. The Federal government is responsible for issues of a national nature like treaties, coinage and immigration.
Research the Tenth Amendment.
"This country is hemorrhaging rationality so fast we're going to bleed out."
As Douglas Adams wrote, "Don't panic."
Burn!
By Ben_Quahog
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 8:39pm
Take that, alternative facts!
Actually...
By Lunchbox
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 9:05pm
Walsh swore to support the Constitution of the United States [so help him God]
See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQ5YZ1Ekm_g at 1:15
The Constitution of the United States says that immigration is solely a question for the federal government, not the states (or cities).
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQ5YZ1Ekm_g[/youtube]
The Constitution does NOT say
By perruptor
Thu, 01/26/2017 - 6:36am
The Constitution does NOT say that the Mayor of Boston must cooperate with the Federal government's immigration policies. Since the Feds have legal control of all the ports of entry, it's their responsibility to prevent the awful threat to our existence that is undocumented immigration. Local official have no legal responsibility to help them.
So he can support it
By Sock_Puppet
Thu, 01/26/2017 - 7:03am
By leaving it to the federal government, then.
Your next task
By SwirlyGrrl
Thu, 01/26/2017 - 1:07pm
Please let us know where any oath of office is prescribed in the state constitution or the city charter. How is it worded, exactly? (look up thread to where somebody posted the boilerplate language)
Not unlike a church wedding with a minister or Rabbi where vows are made, but are not legally binding unless required by the law. Ceremony and legally binding statements can overlap, but they do not always do so.
So Charlie Baker violated his oath
By anon
Thu, 01/26/2017 - 11:02am
That whole DEP thing - tsk tsk. The one where he tried to liquidate the DEP by declaring that the Commonwealth didn't have to enforce state environmental laws, only Federal standards?
Yeah, that. He got dopesmacked in the courts - maybe he should have been removed from office.
They are not criminals
By Bob Leponge
Thu, 01/26/2017 - 12:57pm
No they aren't.
For whatever reason, Congress chose not to make it a crime to be here in the country illegally, e.g., by overstaying a tourist visa.
Please understand the criminal laws before making pronouncements about who is and is not violating them.
There goes the Green Line
By anon
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 6:18pm
I applaud Marty and Joe, but you can forget about that billion dollar Federal grant for the Green Line thru Somerville.
the green line is run by....
By Scumquistador
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 8:35pm
the STA?
or the MBTA?
The Tenth Amendment
By adamg
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 6:31pm
It's the amendment you don't tend to hear about unless you're one of those rightwingers who'd go around claiming it lets states nullify federal laws they don't like.
But it might also bar Trump from withholding money from sanctuary cities.
And the world turned upside down...
By dmcboston
Thu, 01/26/2017 - 12:43am
Your link (Pittsburg Gazette) cites a case written by Justice Scalia, bane of the liberals...
Will wonders never cease.
You know what?
By anon
Thu, 01/26/2017 - 9:04am
THIS ISN'T A FOOTBALL GAME WITH OUR TEAM VS THEIR TEAM.
Grow the eff up, please.
legal vs illegal immigration
By Anon
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 7:21pm
The Boston metro area is full of legal immigrants who spent many years and jumped through many hoops to maintain their legal status and eventually become permanent residents or citizens. Refusal to enforce immigration laws is a slap in the face for all these people and their effort to follow the rules.
Eh
By Scumquistador
Thu, 01/26/2017 - 5:28am
I wouldn't be so quick to speak for other people like that. Immigration has just as diverse a spectrum of opinions among immigrants as it does among anybody else here.
Source: years of dinner table conversations
No Line for These Folks
By R Hookup
Thu, 01/26/2017 - 8:55am
The majority of individuals here illegally had no legal path to entering the US. If you are not well educated or do not possess a special skill or are not related to a US citizen and are from Mexico or Central America, there are almost no legal ways to get to the US.
Doesn't make it right, but desperation drives people to do things they know are against the rules.
I do think offering his
By R Hookup
Thu, 01/26/2017 - 8:57am
I do think offering his office at City Hall is not the best way to go about it. What happens when a family scheduled for a deportation hearing shows up at City Hall and wants sanctuary? Is it really equipped to handle folks who would not be able to go outside again?
Seeing as the 10th Amendment
By anon
Thu, 01/26/2017 - 9:25am
Seeing as the 10th Amendment and the Constitution give power and roles to the State and the cities in question are chartered to the State (not the federal government) someone should really ask Mr. Charlie Baker what he thinks about de-funding these cities and towns (and others like them) and if which side he would take. Keep in mind he recently used the policies from the City of Chelsea for a template for his own policies with the State Police. Chelsea is a Sanctuary City. He also took some info from Boston and Somerville.
People let Governor Baker off of the hook way too easily. He needs to come out with a statement on this. Enough with this standing on the fence routine. The Constitutional protection for these cities runs right through his office, it is imperative that he have a policy one way or another on this.
Do not read this as a pro Trump comment, I am against his Executive Order, I just think that our Governor should form a backbone and declare a stance one way or another.
Go Mahty
By anon
Thu, 01/26/2017 - 12:53pm
We don't need their stinking money. Just raise out real estate taxes, raise parking fees, lower the speed limit and issue more tickets. We have GE behind us.
City Hall as Sanctuary?
By Smart Arse
Thu, 01/26/2017 - 2:11pm
That's cruel and unusual punishment.!!
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