Rapid response network for illegal immigrants proposed

By George P. Hassett

The city’s Human Rights Commission may set up a rapid response network to spread information to  immigrant communities during times of crisis.

At a community meeting in East Somerville Oct. 10 Human Rights Commissioner Mary Lu Mendonca said the move was inspired by last summer’s immigration raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Mendonca’s proposal was cheered and applauded by community members at the meeting.

City spokesman Thomas P. Champion said the network would not be used as a defense mechanism against ICE and would not train immigrants to deal with raids in advance.

“It would be a way to get information out quickly in the aftermath of ICE operations in the city so the community can have accurate information and not have to rely on rumors,” he said. “It would be solely informational.”

In August, ICE agents swooped into the city and arrested alleged gang members and violent offenders. Immigration-rights groups criticized the raids as too aggressive and widespread.

In their wake, some groups initiated an underground campaign to teach illegal immigrants how to fend off federal agents. One group, the Alliance to Develop Power, a non-profit organization based in Springfield, screened DVD’s in Spanish that simulated encounters between immigrants and federal officials and told immigrants not to lie to officials, carry false documents or run away. Instead, they encouraged immigrants to stay silent and ask for a lawyer.

That is not how the proposed rapid response network would work in Somerville, Champion said. “[Advising immigrants before raids] is not what is envisioned here,” he said.

It is also possible the network will not be created at all, Mendonca left her part time job as the city’s human rights commissioner this week. She would not specify her reasons for leaving.

“I don’t know if someone will take over the work now that I’m gone,” she said.

Champion said it is up to the commission to decide if they want to form the network.

“But if they teach people how to evade or avoid the law, the city can’t support that,” he said.

Comments

[All Wards]

How do you like that full page ad for Tony lafuente in today's Globe? World Series Section Pg 1.

[Imux]

If one penny of my tax dollars goes toward funding any program that benefits Illegal aliens I will hit this city with a lawsuit that will make their heads spin.

And can we not do away with some of these silly commissions like the Human Rights and Arts? Who do they actually benefit, but some little niche group. We have laws to protect human rights and we have free markets to support the "arts". If your art isn't good enough to sell then take up plumbing or auto repair. These commissions are just more bureaucratic waste of our tax dollars.

[Ron Newman (SF)]

A lot of folks have a good time at those ArtsUnion events, and they bring people from other places into Somerville to spend money at local businesses. Are you capable of relaxing and having a good time occasionally? Being angry all the time will lead you to an early grave.

[[email protected]]

No one is saying there is anything wrong with the arts union events, just that the entire population shouldn't be obligated to be pay for it via taxes, it should come from the business or nonprofit or individual patron communities. Personally I'm not sure I'm as opposed to tax dollar support of Arts Union as Imux, but I'm definately opposed to spending tax $ on illegal immigrants, esp on comforting them after legal raids. Imux, I hope you do sue.

[Bettybb]

Hey, I am totally pro rule of law, anti lawless illegals, but if there are mass ICE raids (and I hope there are), then it just makes sense to have the correct information get out fast.

While I don't understand it, it seems these criminal illegal aliens (and all are criminal), don't seem to have taken steps to ensure their kids will be okay in the event they are arrested. Totally negligent parenting in my opinion. But the fact is, it happens, and it will be easier for all concerned if parents know where to go to find out if a family member has been arrested, or for a school to find out what to do with a child.

What if you are an American, married to an illegal, who is picked up. You will want to know where the illegal is being held etc.

No, it is not a bad idea.

[lifelong res]

Imux,
I hope you do follow through on your word to sue. I would support any lawsuit you bring on behalf of the LEGAL, law-abiding, taxpaying citizens of Somerville. If that day does come, please post here on how to get in touch with you.

[Peacenotwar]

Imux, shut the fuck up. You da man! Talk big, but in the end the only thing you can do is to get drunk and forget about it. That's the story of your life. So, why should it be different this time?

[Peacenotwar]

Anybody who has smoked pot in their life is a criminal. That makes it well over 50% of the population. Probably 95% of the posters here.

[Peacenotwar]

If perennial anger makes Imux die early, that would only be good news. Imux, I support illegal immigrants and spending our taxes on improving their life. Jesus said to be kind to others. So, that is what should be done.

[Yorktown Street]

Markets fail. Any Economics 101 class will teach you that. They don't produce enough social goods (from art to parks), and they produce "externalities" (meaning social costs, like pollution). One of the legitimate functions of government is to correct market failure and to internalize costs of production onto the producer. This is textbook stuff. If you want to make a serious argument against government spending for social purposes, you have to attack the purpose, not the government.

[Fever]

Yorktown Street:

Man is it funny how these blogs stray so far away from the subject matter intended to be discussed, but when I read something so ridiculous I have no choice but to respond. In my Econ class we learned a lot about Ronald Reagan who famously said, “Government won’t solve your problems, Government is the problem”.

[Ron Newman (SF)]

He famously said a lot of things that weren't especially accurate.

[Born Here]

peacenotwar, welcome to Somerville, do you miss Cambridge? Let me guess, you hang around the internet cafe trying to save the world. We know that by putting a low watt bulb in our lamps will save the earth. Are you a 10th year student at Harvard? You know, a professional student who is allergic to working for a living. Go hold a rally for all your "ILLEGAL" friends.....you BARNEY !

[nobody]

If people come here illegally, they should live with the consequences of uncertainty after raids, we don't need to comfort illegal people who stepped to the front of the line in front of legal immigrants who wanted, went through the process. There is a reason why we don't want to just open the borders to everyone who wants to come here, they are often criminals, want to get free health care in emergency rooms, will use tax dollars, etc. If they go the legal route, we can filter out bad people.

If you believe Jesus said to help people, then are you willing to let ex cons sleep on your couch for a couple months?

[Fever]

Nobody:

Opening/closing the borders is an entirely different argument versus what to do about the illegal immigrants that already live here.

On a side note, if you came from dire poverty (in addition to the countless other problems with their home countries), would you wait in line to come to this country legally? I personally can’t fault anyone from the slums of Brazil and risks life and limb to come to this country and I would do anything in my power to stay here.

[nobody]

Am I surprised when people want something for nothing? No, like you, I'm not surprised. Do I want to provide it? Unlike you, I don't want to. If there going to be here, they should work to support themselves completely.

[Imux]

On a side note, if you came from dire poverty (in addition to the countless other problems with their home countries), would you wait in line to come to this country legally? I personally can’t fault anyone from the slums of Brazil and risks life and limb to come to this country and I would do anything in my power to stay here.

Posted by: Fever | October 30, 2007 at 05:35 PM

Fever, you make less sense than Ron and I thought that was impossible!Can you please tell me why WE should pay -- via supporting these criminals once they get here -- because there is dire poverty in their home countries? They need to improve their home country's economy and not come here and suck off the US taxpayer teat.

We need to do everything in our power to THROW OUT the ones who subvert the system by NOT WAITING and COMING HERE LEGALLY. Why should people who want to come legally - and we want to come legally - be penalized?

I've got an idea. You want to help them, right? Why don't you go to East Somerville, round up a houseful of 'em and have them move in with you. Then after they rape, steal and pillage you and your house.... then come back. K?

[open]

We U.S give killions of dollars and aid other countrys to help themselfs, but in america we have to help ourselfs in order to help others. Letting our borders open will only make U.S weak and thus leave all the world helpless

[Election]

Well, let's start with stopping the flow of free money, our tax dollars, to Israel. Thank you.

[Born Here]

Dear Open,
Even with my Som. High education, I'd have to question "killions", "themselfs", and of course "ourselfs".

[Tired]

Fever,
People who wait in line to come into this country are by definition "not illegal"! Immigration & Naturalization Laws allow a certain number of entries into this country from other countries based on a wide variety of needs,, legitimate U.S. needs, (i.e. skills based, family considerations, those seeking actual political asylum).

Just because someone comes from a poverty stricken nation should not give them carte blanche to come to this country. They need to get in the back of the line. Somerville's immigrant population is dominated by illegal immigrants not legal immigrants. This is why the Human Rights Coalition wants to do something to protect them, because there is a huge constituency of illegals.

So, let's follow this logic down the slippery slope. Shouldn't there be a network set up to tip off the families of drug dealers, child-molesters and other felons to assist them just before their loved ones are jailed?

I know, I know these illegal immigrants are good, law abiding, economy boosting contributors to American society. BUT SERIOUSLY, WHERE DO YOU DRAW THE LINE?

Do we let all of human kind with a good heart and a sad story into the U.S.? Logistically, economically, geographically, socially, politically WE CANT, Ron!

Finally, IMUX, don't muddy your anti-immigration argument with the anti-arts sentiment. The arts are good for our children, citizens, and the city and your property values.

[Election]

And how would you know that the Somerville's immigrant population is dominated by illegal immigrants, not legal immigrants? You don't know who has papers and who doesn't.

[Imux]

Finally, IMUX, don't muddy your anti-immigration argument with the anti-arts sentiment. The arts are good for our children, citizens, and the city and your property values.

Posted by: Tired | October 30, 2007 at 09:54 PM

Tired, I am not anti-art at all. I've been to the Louvre 5 or 6 times (lots to see) among many other art museums. I just think it should be free enterprise or private funds that support the "arts". The gov't (local) should not be in the business of determining what art gets funded and they certainly should NOT be providing subsidized space via tax dollars for artists.

BTW -- Excellent point on where to draw the line on illegals. With the libs argument we would have 6 billion people living here next week.

[Ron Newman]

Without the various French governments (royal, revolutionary, imperial, and republican), there would be no Louvre.

[Imux]

Well, let's start with stopping the flow of free money, our tax dollars, to Israel. Thank you.

Posted by: Election | October 30, 2007 at 06:36 PM

Election, now you've really gone and done it. Oy Vey! Don't be expecting your nightly reacharound from Ron tonight afte your little anti-semitic rant!

Ron, geez..how did I know you'd be pro-French? Well, how many Frenchmen does it take to guard Paris? Nobody knows, they've never tried.

[jman]

TO PEACENOTWAR:

Please make sure that your tax money goes to the illegal immigrants and not mine. In fact, put your money where your mouth is and donate to their cause right away.

Freak

[Election]

Not anti-semitic. Anti-free-money to Israel.

[Ron Newman]

And I actually agree, at least in the long term -- Israel is a prosperous country that can stand on its own two feet.

[Election]

That is my point, Ron. If we want to give foreign aid, it should go to countries that need it. Also, don't get me started about where the money really go once it reaches Israel. Certainly not to promote the arts.

[Imux]

That is my point, Ron. If we want to give foreign aid, it should go to countries that need it. Also, don't get me started about where the money really go once it reaches Israel. Certainly not to promote the arts.

Posted by: Election | October 31, 2007 at 09:57 AM

Oh boy...looks like Election and Ron have kissed and made up. Tell the kids to not go trick-or-treating near Davis tonight as it will be a reacharound frenzy tonight with these two.

Guys (or whatever you are), the real issue is that the city funds this Human Rights Commission. Now that commission wants to fund programs to support - ONLY - illegals. Over my dead body they'll take my tax dollars and use that to support illegals!

If this city keeps bending over for the moonbats amongst us then they are going to hit with a class-action lawsuit that will keep my great-great-great-grandkids swimming in champagne.

[Election]

Imux, stop trying to spread blatant lies and disinformation. At least, try to do it in a clever way, if you like to play at being little Machiavelli.

[Fever]

Tired:

Before I can comment on your points let’s start with some reading comprehension:

I never said anyone legal or otherwise should be given carte blanche to come here. I simply said that I don’t blame them for not waiting in line and pursuing legal measures. I mean we both know that if most poor immigrants waited in line they will probably never be allowed to come here.

Moving forward, millions of illegal immigrants are here, there is no way they will leave voluntarily, do you have a legitimate suggestion as to what we should do with them?

I completely understand, Imux’s suggestion, he would forcibly kick them out because they are a bunch of rapists, thieves and pillagers. There is no argument for bigots, I mean once a bigot always a bigot.

[Imux]

Moving forward, millions of illegal immigrants are here, there is no way they will leave voluntarily, do you have a legitimate suggestion as to what we should do with them?

Tired, I never they're said that all illegals are rapists, thieves and pillagers. I said that if you're so in favor of illegals then have a few of 'em move in with you. Then get back to us if you still have a house and are still walking upright. Put your money (and family/house) where your mouth is.

What to do? I have the solution. It's simple. You revoke this dumbass "sanctuary city" bullshit and allow local law enforcement to assist ICE with round ups and deportation. Gulliani - when he is elected - has already stated that he will have kicked all the illegals out within 3 years. Because I'm a decent human I'll give them an extra 6 months, so 3.5 years is fine by me.

With your limited mindsight we would do NOTHING about the issue. HUH? Well, we're doing something... we're going to reign in the far left moonbats, libaloons, moveon.org-lovers who have destroyed our culture, morals and economy and we - in the political center - will take back our cities and country.

The first step is to vote out the PDS in all local elections. We have to get rid of this cancer in Somerville. They don't care about us - they care only about their own farleft social agendas.

[Imux]

ooops... I meant that last post addressed to Fever. Tired is already on the winning team as far as illegals.

[Election]

>> I never they're said that all illegals are rapists, thieves and pillagers.<<

Imux, little coward, be minimally smart and take responsibility for what you say in public, since the record is already there.

Of course you did say it. You said "...after they rape, steal and pillage you and your house.... "

You did not say "...IF they rape...". You do assume they are all rapists, that is pretty obvious in your bigoted posts.

[Imux]

Election, is Ron still with you? You guys cleaning up after your little bukkake-fest? Well..after you're all cleaned up come on back, read and UNDERSTAND what the posts say. I know I've told you this before, but it's not enough to read the posts and then start with the ad hominem attacks. You need to UNDERSTAND what is written. Try it... if you're still having problems just tell me. Don't be embarrasses....I'll see what I can do to get the main points through your fat head.

I am not the one assuming that all illlegals are people of color. That's you and your out-ot-touch-with-reality buddies. There are many illegals from the former countries in Eastern Europe who also should get the 'ol heave ho. I don't discriminate - anyone here illegally - regardless of race, sex, politics - gets tossed.

And yeah... I do connect the dots. If a person comes here illegally and STAYS here illegally (breaks the law) then it's not a huge leap for them to break other laws (rape, steal, pillage). As Fever (and what a genius this one is) noted - they'll do anything to stay! That's what worries me and why we need to toss these criminals out and certainly not "help" them with our tax dollars.

[Election]

Irrelevant BS, Imux. Don't change topic. Just admit we caught you lying and apologize to the board.

[Imux]

Irrelevant BS, Imux. Don't change topic. Just admit we caught you lying and apologize to the board.

Posted by: Election | October 31, 2007 at 11:49 AM

Here we go again. Ok... Election, we're going to have to go back to Reading Comprehension 101 with you. Are you ready? Please read the paragraph I've cut/pasted below, from a previous post, slooooowly. Break it up into sentences and - if need be - take each word individually with a dictionary and understand what the word actually means. Again... don't be too embarrassed. There are lots of people on the left just like you who don't know their ass from their elbow.

Here is the paragraph... take your time... there is no time limit. This is what I posted earlier.

I am not the one assuming that all illlegals are people of color. That's you and your out-of-touch-with-reality buddies. There are many illegals from the former countries in Eastern Europe who also should get the 'ol heave ho. I don't discriminate - anyone here illegally - regardless of race, sex, politics - gets tossed.

Now, how do you get that I am a bigot out of that? Get Ron up off the floor to help you answer that if need be.

[somerville old timer]

Imux: How about people whose parents or grandparents came here without papers? My grandfather, for example. What do you thing should happen to me?

[Imux]

Som old timer, why are people making this harder then it needs to be. It's very simple. Were you born here? If so, you're ok. If you were born elsewhere, but have become LEGAL then you're ok. Is your grandfather - if still alive - legal now? If so, he's ok.

Pretty simple, right? If you come here legally or have done the right thing to become legal (in your case having the good fortune to being born here) then you're OK!

If you come illegally and stay illegally then you're NOT OK and need to be deported.

Easy, right? Just nod.

[somerville old timer]

Imux: So I'm glad to hear that the children of illegal immigrants are okay with you, as long as they were born here. Do you think these young citizens should be deported with their parents, or no?

[Grog29]

This was planned weeks ago by the "pro-illegal" community. There was an article in the Globe about how these lawless loving organizations would be setting up "road-block stalling tactics" and "how to protect illegal aliens from raids by the Feds".

If there is one penny of taxpayer funds for this, and WE WILL ALL BE WATCHING, the City Attorney better get use to ALOT of paperwork and court appearances. It's time to call in FAIR, NUMBERS USA , and the MINUTEMEN organizations. The city
government has JOINED with the lawbreakers and identity thieves.

[Ron Newman (SF)]

Wonderful, you want to invite three outside racist organizations into our city.

[What?]

What is rascist about protecting our sovreignty? This is an empty argument which, in effect, is used to create discrimination against those who wish to uphold our laws.

[Grog29]

You're losing it Mr. Newman.

[Election]

Imux, you should try harder. The record is there, you said all illegal immigrants are rapists, in this thread. Now you cannot take it back. Don't drink before posting next time.

[Election]

I also heard of pretty active underground organizations going after the real terrorists who threaten our Constitution. People like Imux, who so vehemently incite people to violate the Constitution. Different tactics are used to get them. You don't need much. The more vociferous these folks are and the more they have to hide. And, let's face it, they are not the brightest bulbs in the bunch.

[StrikingBack]

The insanity continues and it appears it will never come to an end. Legal citizens are cast aside in favor of those that shirk our laws and do so every second of every day they are here illegally and remain here illegally.

Up until now their crimes go unreported and their victims, many whose lives are changed forever by disabling injuries or worse, losing a loved one at the hands of an illegal, are just swept under the rug as if they don't exist. The ugly truth is covered up time and again.

Well, no more. Check out http://illegal.globalincidentmap.com which is a free, public service site, started by a lady who was permanently disabled in an auto accident by an illegal alien four years ago and spent the last three years fighting to get disability benefits while the illegal alien didn't even receive so much as a traffic citation and is living their life without a care in the world while this lady and so many like her are left to pick up the pieces and try to survive because the government doesn't care and doesn't want to know about the countless victims of crimes by illegals.

Send in tips from your area also about illegal aliens and their crimes. They will add them to this IAATS (Illegal Alien Activity Tracking System) and the nation will see this problem isn't going away; rather it is taking over the country and not exclusive to the border states any more. Something must be done.

Of course there are those that will say the site is racist and blah blah blah because that is the only thing they have left to fight back with. What they don't understand is it has nothing to do with race and everything to do with the law. Illegal means illegal - it IS that simple. So they can spout off as much as they want, but it's not going to change this shocking visual display of the TRUTH and that TRUTH is Illegal Aliens are committing crimes, ruining peoples lives, getting away with it and it has got to stop!

[Election]

Ah, Imux, you could not resist posting under another name to fake community support for your position. But you are so obvious.

[Election]

I also heard from the same source that illegal immigrants are given 1 million dollar checks for free, so they can rape and murder people without worrying about getting a job. How low is it going to go?