Immigration

Look What Happens When Local And Federal Law Enforcement Work Together

By Carroll Andrew Morse | July 10, 2008 |

The general public keeps hearing from various quarters that immigration is a federal matter, therefore local police authorities shouldn’t take any initiative in enforcing immigration laws. That refrain brings to mind Amanda Milkovits‘ story from the Projo of two Saturdays ago…At dusk, a dozen Providence police officers and state police troopers in unmarked cruisers drove…

Waiting for that Hard-Hitting, Old-Time-Journalism Scott MacKay Column on Barack Obama’s Misplaced Priorities

By Carroll Andrew Morse | July 9, 2008 |

Presumptive Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama had this to say yesterday, in an address to the League of United Latin American Citizens in Washington D.C…I fought with you in the Senate for comprehensive immigration reform. And I will make it a top priority in my first year as President — not only because we have…

ProJo Spins 75% Approval of E-Verify

By Marc Comtois | July 7, 2008 |

Hey, you. The one who was part of the 75% percent of Rhode Islanders who said they approve of Governor Carcieri’s E-verify Executive Order (and presumably the E-verify bill that just got killed by Senator Theresa Paiva-Weed). Guess what? The Journal’s Steve Peoples and/or Cynthia Needham think you were just confused…or something…by the question (the…

Arlene Violet on the Immigration Verification Policy of the PPD

By Monique Chartier | July 5, 2008 |

This awful crime brought into focus the technologically retarded procedure whereby the Providence police check the immigration status of people who come into their official custody. We should note here that it was the Mayor of Providence, not the police department, who arranged and ordered this procedure. Arlene Violet did some research and determined exactly…

What Exactly is David Cicilline’s Position on Enforcing Immigration Law?

By Carroll Andrew Morse | June 26, 2008 |

In Edward Fitzpatrick and W. Zachary Malinowski’s story on the fallout from the Marco Riz case in today’s Projo, Providence Mayor David Cicilline states his basic position on the enforcement of immigration law…“Let me be clear,” Cicilline said, “anyone who is in this country illegally and breaks the law should be deported. That’s why Providence…

Cicilline and the Minutemen, Side By Each

By Monique Chartier | June 24, 2008 |

The Mayor of Providence continues to insist that illegal immigration is a matter for federal officials. In response to Bill Malinowski’s story in Saturday’s ProJo about the City of Providence’s prior official encounters with Marco Riz, the Mayor released this statement: I will not let the Providence Police pick up the slack or take the…

What Exactly is Dean Esserman’s Position on Enforcing Immigration Law?

By Carroll Andrew Morse | June 24, 2008 |

In light of the Marco Riz case, I am confused as to Providence Police Chief Dean Esserman’s position regarding assisting Federal authorities with the enforcement of immigration law. Marco Riz is the illegal immigrant accused of rape who was taken into custody by Providence police twice last year, but released both times, despite being under…

E-Verify: Coming to a Federal Contractor Near You

By Monique Chartier | June 12, 2008 |

Helen Glover reported this morning that e-verify legislation has stalled on Smith Hill because it contains monetary penalties for businesses which fail to comply. Apparently, the General Assembly has the power under these circumstances to pull a company’s license but not to fine it. In the meantime, President George Bush has mandated e-verify for companies…

RIILE Shut out of Governor’s Immigration Advisory Group

By Marc Comtois | June 6, 2008 |

Terry Gorman of RIILE (Rhode Islanders for Immigration Law Enforcement) was on Dan Yorke’s show this afternoon and explained that neither he nor any RIILE members have been invited to participate on the Governor’s 27 member Immigration Advisory panel (no documentation or press release yet). According to Gorman, he had gotten the impression that he…

What Does Amnesty for Undocumented Farm Workers Have to Do with the Funding of our Action in Iraq?

By Monique Chartier | May 18, 2008 |

Add Senator Larry Craig to Donald’s list of Republicans who have gotten off track, in this case, by participating in the attempt to pass amnesty piecemeal. The Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday added to an Iraq spending bill a controversial provision to help pave the way for undocumented agriculture workers to win legal status, a…