Baker hit as ‘wishy washy’ on immigration
Appears to bend on ‘sanctuary state’ proposal
Gov. Charlie Baker could face political blowback at the ballot box if he doesn’t stop “playing footsie” with his wavering opposition to sanctuary state legislation, an immigration expert told the Herald.
Jessica Vaughan, the director of policy for the conservative Center for Immigration Studies, said Baker needs to be firm on keeping Massachusetts from becoming a sanctuary state.
“I think he needs to be clear about it, this is a no-brainer politically for him,” Vaughan said. “It’s not clear to me what he has to gain politically by playing footsie ... if anything, it makes him look more wishy-washy, like he’s trying to pander to a newly formed commission.”
Baker has opposed the socalled Safe Communities Act filed by state Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) and state Rep. Juana Matias (D-Lawrence) that would bar state and local police from asking about a person’s immigration status or arresting them for being here illegally. The bill would also prohibit cops from holding illegal immigrants on federal detainers without warrants.
Baker has said cities and towns should make sanctuary city decisions without the state Legislature’s involvement.
Yet, at a press conference yesterday for the newly created Latino Advisory Commission, a 27-member board that will make recommendations to Baker, the governor seemed willing to move in a different direction.
“I’ve said many times that I think that decision should be made at the local level, but I’m an open-minded guy. I’ve been known to change my mind about things before,” Baker said, adding that taking control away from local governments made him “very nervous.”
“That said, you don’t put a commission like this together with this kind of talent if you don’t expect them to talk about and address some difficult issues, and I certainly expect them to do that, and I look forward to their recommendations,” Baker said.
A senior aide to Baker said the governor’s comments do not reflect any shift in the administration’s position on the legislation.
A vote on the bill, which is gaining support on Beacon Hill, has not been set in either the House or Senate.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement lists Boston as one of five Bay State sanctuary jurisdictions, along with Somerville, Cambridge, Northampton and Amherst.
‘I’ve been known to change my mind about things before.’ — CHARLIE BAKER, Governor