Bill Looks at Ilegal Immigration

Legislation filed in both the state House and Senate, by members of both major parties, seeks to address some of the strains placed on local communities by illegal immigration, according to one of the sponsors, state Sen. Richard Moore (D-Uxbridge).

The bill — called An Act to Enhance Community Safety — would address issues in public contracts, public housing, public safety and motor vehicle registrations. In addition to Moore, it is sponsored by state (D-Milford), state Rep. George N. Peterson Jr. (R-Grafton), and Bruce E. Tarr (R-Gloucester).

Among other things, the bill would:

• Stiffen penalties for driving without a license. Current fines range from $100 to $1,000. The bill creates a progressive penalty starting at $500 for a first offense; increasing to up to $1,000 for  a second offense, and/or 30 days in jail; and then $1,000 to $2,000 and/or 60 days in jail for a third offense. Upon third offense, the vehicle could be forfeited.
• Increase penalties for creating, disseminating or using false identification materials, and create a specific offense for using fake IDs to obtain employment.
• Require companies seeking public contracts to certify that their employees are authorized to work in the U.S.
• Bar any contractor found to have employed an unauthorized worker from bidding on public contracts.
• Ensure that state resources and benefits, such as in-state tuition, are directed to those entitled to them.
• Ensure that state-subsidized housing is reserved for residents of Massachusetts who are here legally.
• Require anyone seeking to be declared indigent to submit a social security number to verify their income.
• Require people seeking motor vehicle registrations to provide a social security number, a federal tax ID number or proof of legal residence.

According to a statement by the sponsors, the legislation is intended to address, "to the extent possible, those issues under the control of the Commonwealth. Absent a comprehensive federal solution to legal and illegal immigration, the Commonwealth should act to protect its interests, and the interests of, and impacts upon, its residents."