2018 MA Governor's race: on Immigration

Charlie Baker: Revoke MA National Guard on border due to family separation

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.

Jay Gonzalez: No MA National Guard on border due to inhumane policies

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.

Setti Warren: Support sanctuary cities; oppose summary deportations

Fighting Trumps Immigration policy
• Passing and Defending Newton's Welcoming City Ordinance (from Newton Wicked Local): "Mayor Setti Warren pulled no punches in his response to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions' statement Monday that reaffirmed the Trump administration's vow to withhold federal funding from so-called "sanctuary cities."
• Slamming Governor Baker's Unconstitutional Deportation Bill: (from MassLive.com) "Gov. Baker doesn't believe undocumented people deserve the due process rights guaranteed by the U.S. and Massachusetts state constitutions. I believe everyone should be treated equally under the law."
• See my Facebook video on support for Safe Communities Act

Bob Massie: Support Safe Communities over Trump's abhorrent ICE policies

I was pleased by a recent Superior Court ruling that Massachusetts officers [cannot] arrest an individual solely on the basis of a Federal civil immigration detainer. But we need to do more.

My mother is a first-generation Swiss immigrant. I have not forgotten my immigrant roots. We are all immigrants here. It's time we started treating all immigrants with respect and giving them our support. Unlike Governor Baker, who jumped on the anti-Muslim bandwagon and blocked Syrian women and children entry to Massachusetts, my values regarding immigrants echo those emblazoned on the Statue of Liberty.

Setti Warren: Local police shouldn't enforce immigration law

Charlie Baker: Open to ideas from Latino advisers on sanctuary state

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.

Jay Gonzalez: Opposes Trump's Muslim ban

"Gov. Baker has just taken down his periscope and gone under water. He didn't show up at the Women's March. He didn't go to the airport at the time of the Muslim ban. He didn't go to the Copley Square defense of our constitutional rights. He didn't go to the Science March. I doubt he's going to the Climate March. He's doing whatever he can to keep his head low, and as a result I think he's actually betraying our politics and our citizens."

Setti Warren: Make City Hall an immigrant sanctuary to lead sanctuary city

Despite threats from the Trump administration to withhold federal funding from sanctuary cities, Warren continues to stand behind Newton's Welcoming City Ordinance, saying it "demonstrated who we are and what we're trying to do--that we are welcoming to all people. It's really the effort we're making, and who we are, and our values, and how we do community policing."

Jay Gonzalez: No round-up of immigrants by National Guard

"I call on Governor Baker to make clear that Massachusetts will not participate if President Trump seeks to authorize the National Guard to round up undocumented immigrants in Massachusetts. Massachusetts has always stood for the values of inclusion, diversity, and compassion, and Governor Baker should reassure our immigrant families today that he would not allow our National Guard to serve as an arm of President Trump's deportation forces."

Jay Gonzalez: Safe Communities: no Muslim registry; no state enforcement

• Ensure Massachusetts does not aid in the creation of a Muslim registry by prohibiting the federal government from accessing state databases to use in any federal registry program based on religion or national origin;
• Ensure anyone detained in the state is informed of their rights;
• Ensure that state, local, and campus police would not be forced to conduct immigration enforcement activities on behalf of the federal government.