Issue Position: Secure Communities

Issue Position

The problem of illegal immigration threatens the fiscal stability of our state, our economy and safety of our residents. As our next State Representative, Marty Lamb will tackle this tough issue. It will not take a tragedy for him to act.

According to the Center for Immigration Reform, Massachusetts has 220,000 illegal immigrants. 25% are collecting taxpayer-paid benefits. Lamb estimates that could be costing Massachusetts taxpayers anywhere from $600 million to $1.2 billion annually. He will work to strengthen requirements for receiving welfare benefits.

Marty Lamb is disappointed that Governor Patrick went back on his word to implement Secure Communities. This program, established by President Obama, allows local law enforcement officials access to information in order to verify whether an arrested person is a legal resident or not. It expedites the deportation of criminal illegal immigrants. Marty will support efforts to implement the program here in the Commonwealth.

Other reforms Marty supports include:

* Require businesses that do work for the state to verify a workers' immigration status
* Create stronger penalties for those caught making fake IDs
* Increase penalties for driving without a license
* Prohibit legal state residents from being bumped off public housing lists by illegals
* Withhold local aid to municipalities that participate in the sanctuary policy for illegal immigrants.

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