Posted on 05/28/2010 7:47:03 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
With one lawmaker citing President Lincoln's respect for the rule of law, the Massachusetts Senate passed a far-reaching crackdown this afternoon on illegal immigrants and those who would hire them, going further, senators said, than any immigration bill proposed over the past five years.In a surprising turn of events, the legislation replaced a narrower bill that was passed Wednesday over the objections of Republicans.
The measure, which passed on a 28-10 vote as an amendment to the budget, would bar the state from doing business with any company found to break federal laws barring illegal immigrant hiring. It would also toughen penalties for creating or using fake identification documents, and explicitly deny in-state college tuition for illegal immigrants.
The amendment would also require the state's public health insurance program to verify residency through the Department of Homeland Security, and would require the state to give legal residents priority for subsidized housing.
The amendment will now be part of negotiations with the House as part of the entire state budget.
Supporters, especially Republicans, struck patriotic notes and spoke of the sanctity of the law as they spoke on the Senate floor.
"It was President Lincoln -- and I'm going to paraphrase here -- who suggested that respect for the law should be preached from every pulpit taught by every mother to every child," said Senator Bruce Tarr, a Gloucester Republican.
Oh - wait a minute. This is Massachusetts so never mind. It's only lawmakers giving the people what they want when it comes to cracking down on illegal immigration.
Not like Arizona. Nope.
hope someone will enforce it.
Will that lib idiot Deval Patrick veto it?
Don’t get excited I’m sure the bill expires in late November!
The Swimmer dies and look what happens.
knowing the MASSholes north of here, OBama’s auntie is exempted from compliance..
People are seeing how the illegals are affecting them personally. They will respond when their lives are impacted.
Where’s the little ‘RACIST’ boy?
Maybe liberals are waking up to what illegal immigration MEANS TO THEM!
A lot of lost jobs to illegals rather than Americans including liberals!
Benefits to illegals which could instead be used to cover the costs of pensions not only for liberals but for every American!
Illegals undercut liberal jobs, pension plans and benefits for liberals as well!
If liberals don’t get all those things then they are too far gone to help, probably having drunk too much Kool Aid.
Illegal rear-ender causes mind-bender
It’s MA! Just words, just another law that won’t be enforced.
Ping!
True though I’m trying to imagine if the Senate would have passed this had Billy “Corrupt Midget”/”My Brother’s A
Murderous Gangster” Bulger still been in charge...
Amen.
They place a fig leaf of never to be enforced law that actually depends on action by the Feds over the offending parts.
It is Massachusetts ....... they are barely America up there
Uh oh, half the Massachusetts economy is based on this.
Unfortunately no, the libs aren’t waking up.
It’s an election year and a poll came out showing 70% of voters want illegals barred from benefits.
But I’ll take it anyway we can get it!!
Teddy must be slamming down shots after seeing that one.
“Will that lib idiot Deval Patrick veto it?”
The Deval in Massachusetts is likely trying his damnedness to figure out which way the election winds are blowing.
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