By David Taber
U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano, fielded questions from a roomful of over 100 constituents Feb. 24 in the aldermanic chamber at Somerville City Hall.
“You are showing the best side of what is left of our democracy, and I thank you,” said Michael Brauer of Cambridge, praising the congressman for hosting the public forum. Responding to audience questions, Capuano held forth on a wide range of subjects including healthcare, immigration, education, and the war in Iraq.
On immigration, he was closely questioned regarding statements he made at a similar event held in Brighton last week, where he defended his vote last year in favor of a bill that would enable the construction of a 700-ft. fence along the U.S.-Mexican border. Capuano said he is opposed to an open border because foreign nationals would flood the labor market and depress wages.
He reiterated this argument at the Saturday forum. “This country, economically, cannot support a billion people at this time,” he said.
He said he did not know how many foreign-born wage earners the labor market could withstand, but determining that number is an important step in developing a coherent policy on immigration.
“If it’s a million, it’s a million. It’s not two million, it’s not five million, it’s a million,” Capuano said.
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