Pol needs to check his status
The Massachusetts State Senate is not supposed to be a bastion of activism against President Trump. Unfortunately it is being misused in such a way by Democratic Sen. James B. Eldridge.
Eldridge is attempting to sneak some “sanctuary state” provisions into the state budget. His amendment would prevent law enforcement from asking people about their immigration status and ensure that people detained for civil immigration violations have access to an attorney.
“It’s my opinion that local law enforcement should not be involved in enforcing immigration law,” said Eldridge of Acton. “This is not only critical for immigrant communities but enhances the public safety of all Massachusetts residents, as well as limits the damage to our economy due to Donald Trump’s xenophobic agenda.”
An illegal immigrant in Massachusetts has almost certainly committed at least one crime if accessing public benefits. Often they are using fraudulent Social Security numbers or fake drivers’ licenses or green cards.
Any citizen found to be guilty of any of those crimes would face a harsh reckoning with law enforcement but our elected representative, Eldridge, and some of his colleagues want no repercussions for noncitizens for committing the same crimes.
It is an incredible abdication of the state Senate’s core role and illustrates the height of disrespect for its lawful constituency.
Advocating through real senatorial procedures for the cause of challenging the Executive branch of the federal government on behalf of noncitizens is not proper. It is an improper and idiotic use of the taxpayers’ time and resources.
But Eldridge is dug in and looking to his colleagues to send the White House a message.
“For a Legislature with a majority of Democrats who talk a lot about opposing President Trump’s policies, this is where the rubber meets the road,” he said.
Do your job, senator.
We should expect all of our elected officials in the commonwealth to advocate on behalf of their constituents first and foremost. It’s incredible that they need to be reminded of this. If they wish instead to challenge the president of the United States, they can run against him.