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Charlie Baker on Immigration

 

 


Verify legal status before providing any state benefits

Making Public Benefits Available to Only Those in This Country Legally: Without action from the federal government to toughen the country's illegal immigration laws, states must be able to respond to the problems created by illegal immigration. I support putting strict laws and polices into place that require state agencies to verify the legal status of applicants before providing state benefits [including drivers' licenses and in-state tuition]. I do not support providing public assistance to illegal immigrants. Doing so sends the wrong message to those who play by the rules.

Beacon Hill refuses to pass laws that will ensure state funding is not funneled to illegal residents. I would establish regulations, to the extent granted to me by law, which would not allow illegal immigrants to receive public assistance. As governor, I would reissue the executive order that Deval Patrick rescinded to allow the state police to work with federal agencies to enforce immigration laws.

Source: 2010 gubernatorial campaign website, charliebaker2010.com , Nov 1, 2010

Adopt Secure Communities and REAL ID standards

Charlie recognizes the important contribution immigrants have made and continue to make to the quality of life in Massachusetts. Even though immigration remains largely a federal issue, Charlie believes our elected officials in Washington have a responsibility to reform this system, while securing our borders and protecting our national security. Charlie supports the federal Secure Communities program prioritizing the removal of undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes or pose a threat to public safety. Additionally, Charlie believes Massachusetts should adopt the REAL ID standards to address a variety of practical, commerce, and public safety concerns.

[The REAL ID Act implements the following:

Source: 2014 MA Gubernatorial campaign website, CharlieBaker2014.com , Nov 4, 2014

Teach English to immigrants and match up with jobs

[Debate moderator Bob] Oakes: How would you serve the needs of immigrant communities in Massachusetts in terms of job creation?

Baker: "My first public event as a candidate was at the Emerging Technologies Center at UMass Lowell. They've basically created this virtuous circle where the employers benefit from having access to the academic talent and the kids at the school, and it creates this runway for kids coming out of the school who can go to these places and go to work, which helps build up the quality of the economy up in that region. Really good idea, seems to be working pretty well.

"On a different level, to try to help immigrants find jobs and find their way into the economy is first of all, teaching them English. Being very aggressive and making sure they know how to speak English because, let's face it, an important part of how you succeed in the American economy is to speak English. (WBUR, 8/13/2014)

Source: Mass IEPAC: Research Profile on Charlie Baker, p.187 , Sep 1, 2014

Humanitarian relief for unaccompanied kids crossing border

Baker on immigrant children: "All of the states, including Massachusetts, should be part of the effort to provide humanitarian relief for the unaccompanied children that have crossed the border." Governor Deval Patrick provided new details about a federal request to house some of the migrant children crossing the US border, saying he has asked officials to find a location for several hundred Central American children for about four months.

All three Democratic candidates for governor, and the leading Republican candidate, Charlie Baker, said they agree with Patrick that Massachusetts should host the children. "All of the states, including Massachusetts, should be part of the effort to provide humanitarian relief for the unaccompanied children that have crossed the border," Baker said, calling the crisis "heartbreaking." Baker said that federal officials need to provide details about the facility and an "absolute guarantee" that it would be temporary. (Boston Globe, 7/18/2014)

Source: Mass IEPAC: Research Profile on Charlie Baker, p.227 , Sep 1, 2014

Open to ideas from Latino advisers on sanctuary state

Gov. Baker, not wanting to undercut a brand-new Latino advisory panel, said he would be a "hard sell" on making Massachusetts a sanctuary state, but admitted it wouldn't be the first time he's changed his mind.

The bill, known as the Safe Communities Act, would prohibit local police from asking about a person's immigration status or arresting someone solely because of their immigration status. "I've said many times that I think that decision should be made at the local level," Baker said at a press conference where he established a new Latino Advisory Committee.

Baker thus far has been consistent in his opposition to the bill, and reiterated that he gets "very nervous" about the idea of taking away the ability for local officials to make decisions on law enforcement for their own communities. "That said, you don't put together a commission like this if you don't expect them to address some difficult issues, and I look forward to their recommendations," Baker said.

Source: Boston Metro on 2018 Massachusetts gubernatorial race , Jul 12, 2017

Revoke MA National Guard on border due to family separation

Citing federal government actions that are "resulting in the inhumane treatment of children," Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has revoked his offer to send National Guard helicopters and personnel to the Southwestern border.

Baker had previously pledged a UH-72 Lakota helicopter and two military analysts to the border on June 1 and were expected to be deployed at the end of the month. The Massachusetts National Guard has sent personnel and resources to the border in the past under previous administrations, including for Presidents Obama and Bush.

Democrats, who have sought to tie Baker to Trump with little success so far in his reelection campaign, argued that the governor's reversal on National Guard resources doesn't go far enough. "Governor Baker should have never offered our state's resources to enforce Donald Trump's inhumane immigration policy in the first place," said Jay Gonzalez, one of the Democrats seeking the party nomination.

Source: Politico.com on 2018 Massachusetts gubernatorial race , Jun 18, 2018

Protect DREAMers instead of deporting them.

Baker signed Letter from 11 Governors to Congressional leadership

Nearly 800,000 young people eligible for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA)--known as `Dreamers`--played no role in the decision to come here and they have known no other home but the United States.

Already, more than 12,000 Dreamers have lost their protective status and are susceptible to deportation. This is not a theoretical peril, but in fact an immediate and urgent one, because more than 100 young people in our cities and towns are losing their protective status every day. Those numbers will accelerate dramatically without a legislative fix.

We stand with these young American immigrants not only because it is good for our communities and a strong American 21st century economy, but also because it is the right thing for our nation to do. DACA recipients have subjected themselves to extensive background and security checks in order to work and attend college. They are studying at our universities. They are working to support themselves and their families, paying taxes and contributing to their communities in a myriad of ways. In the absence of congressional action providing for a permanent resolution, the termination of DACA puts these young people and their families in peril, and will destabilize our schools, workplaces and communities.

We recognize the complexities and challenges created by this issue, but swift, successful action is needed, action that can build momentum to reassure policymakers that progress on other immigration challenges is possible as well. As a bipartisan coalition of governors, we stand ready to help.

Source: Letter from 11 Governors to Congressional leadership 18LTR-DACA on Dec 20, 2017

Other governors on Immigration: Charlie Baker on other issues:
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