Mass. GOP pushes immigration debate

Senate Republicans, echoing their national party's tough talk on immigration, are pushing for a debate on the Senate floor this week over whether Massachusetts needs to take a harder line against undocumented immigrants.

The six GOP senators are offering amendments to next year's state budget that would sharply increase penalties on employers that knowingly hire immigrants who are here illegally; require the attorney general to compile annual reports on companies that do so; have local housing authorities verify the immigration status of each applicant; and tie funding for the judiciary to a requirement that defendants' immigration status be confirmed at their arraignments.

The Republicans are far outnumbered in the Senate -- they have six members to the Democrats' 34 -- so their amendments may not end up in the final budget, which senators are set to begin debating tomorrow. But the GOP senators plan to force at least a discussion on the measures amid growing calls nationally and in Massachusetts for a crackdown on illegal immigration.

``With all the concern that I think people have and the debate that's going on on the national level, it is appropriate that we review what we have on the books in Massachusetts and update it," said state Senator Richard R. Tisei, a Wakefield Republican and lead sponsor of the amendment on employers.

The senators acknowledge that, with so few Republicans, they'll have to pick and choose which amendments they push. But they said they feel strongly that their immigration proposals should be aired.

``I think it's pretty clear we'll see some debate on this," said state Senator Robert L. Hedlund, a Republican from Weymouth.

Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey, a Republican, has been critical of efforts in the past to help undocumented immigrants. But Healey, a candidate for governor this fall, has softened her position somewhat recently as she works to attract more moderate independent voters.

Healey has not been involved in crafting the budget measures, but she does believe in stemming illegal immigration, according to spokeswoman Laura Nicoll.

``We have not closely reviewed the bills, but the lieutenant governor supports efforts to crack down on the influx of illegal immigrants," Nicoll said.

The Republicans' proposed budget measures come as President Bush and Democrats and Republicans in Congress wrangle over how to overhaul the country's immigration policies. Hard-liners advocate a more punitive approach toward illegal immigrants in the United States, but Bush and some leaders in both parties are seeking a more moderate bill that recognizes the value of such immigrants to the workforce.

Immigration has also been a contentious issue in Massachusetts, in part over a recurring proposal by some lawmakers and immigrants' advocates to allow the children of illegal aliens to receive in-state tuition rates. The House soundly defeated the proposal earlier this year.

During the 2004 legislative races, Governor Mitt Romney and the state Republican Party tried to incite a backlash against Democrats for their support of the tuition measure. The strategy failed and Democrats picked up a few seats in the Legislature.

In recent months, the tuition bill has prompted heated exchanges in the gubernatorial race. Healey has been an outspoken opponent, but at least two of her potential opponents, Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly and Deval L. Patrick, both Democrats, argue that the children of undocumented immigrants should qualify for in-state tuition.

It is already against the law in Massachusetts for employers to knowingly hire workers who are in the United States illegally, but the fines are modest: from $200 to $500. Tisei's amendment seeks to change that range to $5,000 to $10,000.

The intent, Tisei said, is to target companies that, he argues, are ``driving down wages for everyone in the state."

Hedlund said he filed the amendment on housing authorities after local housing officials expressed concern that, because they aren't currently allowed to inquire about applicants' immigration status, illegal immigrants receive benefits before legal residents.

``We have a housing crisis in Massachusetts. It's absolutely insane that someone who broke the law of the United States of America to get in the country is going to receive subsidized housing at the expense of a longtime resident of that community," Hedlund said.

Hedlund also sponsored the budget measure that aims to make funding for the courts conditional on a new requirement that criminal defendants' immigration status be revealed at their arraignment. He said it would give law enforcement a ``clearer picture" of crimes committed by undocumented immigrants.

``If we ever got serious about the number of illegals that may or may not be here, this would be another tool for law enforcement to address this," he said.

It is unclear, though, whether the amendments have any chance of passing.

Ann Dufresne, a spokeswoman for Senate President Robert E. Travaglini, would only say that, ``From the Senate president's standpoint, these amendments will get as much careful scrutiny as all 900-odd amendments to the budget."

A leading immigrant advocate said the Republican proposals wouldn't solve anything.

``Everybody is frustrated with our nation's broken immigration system . . . [but] it's not a solution," said Ali Noorani, executive director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition. ``The only outcome would be impacting immigrant families who are working hard to make Massachusetts a better place."

Noorani said his organization will lobby against the provisions. He said he's seen no indication that they have any support from Senate leaders.

The Republican measures heartened advocates of stricter immigration rules, including state Representative Marie J. Parente, who has made illegal immigration one of her leading causes. Parente said she wasn't aware of the proposals but liked what they would do.

``Anything that will help us control the flow, because we cannot afford the number of people from all over the world who might want to live in this country, or the ones who may want to come into Massachusetts," said Parente, a Milford Democrat.

Regardless of whether they end up in the budget, Senate sponsors say, the proposed budget measures should prompt a timely and necessary discussion of the impact of immigration on Massachusetts.

``There's a very important debate going on at the federal level regarding immigration, and people are interested in it and are more aware of some of the problems that our country faces," Tisei said. ``I do think that given that background, it is appropriate for the Legislature to be interested in what the laws currently are in Massachusetts, and how we can help improve the situation here."

Scott Helman can be reached at shelman@globe.com.