Democrats Accuse MA Republicans Of Misinformation Campaign

SALEM, MA — State Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) and Rep. Paul Tucker (D-Salem) are two of several Democratic lawmakers being accused by the Massachusetts Republican Party of "want(ing) to make Massachusetts a Sanctuary State." The state's Republican party has posted messages on social media and its Website implying that Lovely, Tucker and other Democrats in the state House and Senate have co-sponsored such a bill.

Not true, says Tucker. In a lengthy Facebook post earlier this month, Tucker said he and other Democratic lawmakers have also been targeted by a "Republican-aligned group" that has been using robocalls to say the Democrats were supporting a change to state law that would allow "illegal immigrants" to move ahead of military veterans on public housing waiting lists.

"Being in elected office brings with it the need to take criticism, fair or unfair. But sometimes it needs to be addressed. For me, that day is today," Tucker wrote. "With the latest in a series of FB postings from the Massachusetts Republican Party claiming that I and many of my colleagues are supporting a bill that would make Massachusetts a sanctuary state."

The page on the Republican party Website asks viewers to sign a petition then takes them to another page to make a donation. The petition references House Bill 1520 and Senate Bill 926. Tucker said that bill would prohibit local police from inquiring about a person’s immigration status unless required by law, and is similar to rules in place in the other five New England States.

"Any undocumented person would be allowed an attorney at their own expense if in custody, with legal forms provided in multiple languages. There are guidelines about when a person being released are reportable and lastly it calls for training and data collection," Tucker wrote. "These are the very definition of community policing and due process."

Sanctuary state laws expressly prohibit local law enforcement from cooperating with the federal government in efforts to enforce immigration law. California passed a statewide, sanctuary state law and other municipalities around the country have similar rules in place. Last year, for example, voters approved a measure making Salem a sanctuary city.

Tucker said he has been approached by Republican colleagues in the house who are "dismayed and disgusted" by the state party's tactics. He did not identify those colleagues by name.

"I welcome suggestions and criticism, but it is most unfortunate when time that we can spend on the big issues of the day like Criminal Justice reform and education reform is swallowed up defending against baseless posts from individuals and groups with a malicious intent and a keyboard.," Tucker said.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).