Groups rally against Carcieri's immigration order
PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Immigrants' right groups rallied at the Statehouse Thursday to call on Gov. Don Carcieri to rescind his executive order cracking down on illegal immigrants.
About 250 people gathered near the Capitol steps holding signs, singing and chanting against the order Carcieri signed in March forcing state police and prison officials to identify illegal immigrants for possible deportation.
It also requires executive branch agencies and companies doing business with the state to use a federal database called E-Verify to check the citizenship status of new hires. Supporters say the database will weed out illegal immigrants from the work force, while opponents claim it's error-prone and could disqualify legitimate job seekers.
"It will separate families. It's not good," said Ana Khoury, 50, an immigrant from Bolivia who opposes Carcieri's order. "These people are just coming to work, to eat."
The governor's order set off a heated debate over illegal immigration in this small state. Carcieri blames illegal immigrants for straining the states school and hospital systems as Rhode Island grapples with a $568 million budget deficit.
Christian DeLaCruz, 19, said Carcieri's order could hurt the economy if it scares away illegal immigrants who take low-paying jobs in the service sector.
"What if we really left? What would happen?" he said. "There would be a huge impact."
A slew of bills are pending in the Statehouse that deal with illegal immigration. Last week, the House passed a bill requiring all private employers to use E-Verify or face fines up to $5,000. Another proposal would make it a felony to knowingly rent an illegal immigrant a home.
"It's completely unjust," said protester Pahola Roca, 26, speaking through a translator. "There's no human being who should be denied a roof."
Carcieri has no plans to modify or rescind his executive order, Carcieri spokesman Jeff Neal said.
