Selectman Meeting 2003/10/02

Every tax is a pay cut. Every tax cut is a pay raise.
Citizens for Limited Taxation

October 2, 2003

I submitted a series of questions on the issue of illegal residents in Framingham.

Submitted to the Board of Selectman on 10/02/2003. 1. Is it the responsibility of this town government to follow the law as it is written? 2. Would the Framingham town manager or the town's Board of Selectman deliberately do anything that violates the law? 3. If the Framingham town manager or the town's Board of Selectman did violate the law, wouldn't they be a law breaker. 4. If the Framingham town manager or the town's Board of Selectman were law breakers, shouldn't they be arrested and thrown in jail? 5. Is it the policy of this town to harbor and help illegal residents within Framingham? 6. Why has our police chief made the statement that when he arrests an illegal resident, he will not turn them over to the US immigration department when he is required by law? INA: ACT 274 - BRINGING IN AND HARBORING CERTAIN ALIENS (Title 8, section 1324)? 7. Is this an issue that concerns this board? 8. How do you intend to remedy this situation? 9. If our police chief can selectively enforce laws (like wait for Seth Levenson to show up, but not enforce US immigration laws), shouldn't the taxpayer have the right to selectively pay taxes on government programs that they want? I would suggest to the Framingham taxpayers that they should withhold taxes until this board makes it clear that the Framingham police will enforce US immigration laws. 10. Aren't you susceptible to legal actions by citizens for failing to perform the functions of government? Law enforcement. Where in our by-laws or state laws does it state that you can selectively enforce federal laws? 11. I will be delighted to contact state and federal agencies in case our police chief needs assistance in this matter. Does he need help? 12. As a footnote, if the police bring any illegals into Nevins Hall but do not turn them in to the US Immigration department, they are harboring and aiding an illegal. Accordingly, Nevins Hall can be seized by Federal agents. Massachusetts Attorney General One Ashburton Place Boston, MA 02108-1698 Tel: (617) 727-2200 TTY: (617) 727-4765 Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services Enforcement Activities: To contact our Enforcement Office, please telephone us at (617) 565-3100 or you may visit our office at the JFK Federal Building, Room 1725 Massachusetts State Police Legal Section 470 Worcester Road Framingham, MA 01702 508-820-2311

October 2, 2003
I submitted a series of questions on the issue of illegal residents in Framingham.
Submitted to the Board of Selectman on 10/02/2003. 1. Is it the responsibility of this town government to follow the law as it is written? 2. Would the Framingham town manager or the town's Board of Selectman deliberately do anything that violates the law? 3. If the Framingham town manager or the town's Board of Selectman did violate the law, wouldn't they be a law breaker. 4. If the Framingham town manager or the town's Board of Selectman were law breakers, shouldn't they be arrested and thrown in jail? 5. Is it the policy of this town to harbor and help illegal residents within Framingham? 6. Why has our police chief made the statement that when he arrests an illegal resident, he will not turn them over to the US immigration department when he is required by law? INA: ACT 274 - BRINGING IN AND HARBORING CERTAIN ALIENS (Title 8, section 1324)? 7. Is this an issue that concerns this board? 8. How do you intend to remedy this situation? 9. If our police chief can selectively enforce laws (like wait for Seth Levenson to show up, but not enforce US immigration laws), shouldn't the taxpayer have the right to selectively pay taxes on government programs that they want? I would suggest to the Framingham taxpayers that they should withhold taxes until this board makes it clear that the Framingham police will enforce US immigration laws. 10. Aren't you susceptible to legal actions by citizens for failing to perform the functions of government? Law enforcement. Where in our by-laws or state laws does it state that you can selectively enforce federal laws? 11. I will be delighted to contact state and federal agencies in case our police chief needs assistance in this matter. Does he need help? 12. As a footnote, if the police bring any illegals into Nevins Hall but do not turn them in to the US Immigration department, they are harboring and aiding an illegal. Accordingly, Nevins Hall can be seized by Federal agents. Massachusetts Attorney General One Ashburton Place Boston, MA 02108-1698 Tel: (617) 727-2200 TTY: (617) 727-4765 Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services Enforcement Activities: To contact our Enforcement Office, please telephone us at (617) 565-3100 or you may visit our office at the JFK Federal Building, Room 1725 Massachusetts State Police Legal Section 470 Worcester Road Framingham, MA 01702 508-820-2311

December 4, 2003 Selectmen's Statement in Response to Questions Posed by Harold Wolfe Framingham resident Harold Wolfe has provided the Board with several questions that he wishes the Board to answer. I have carefully reviewed the questions and have concluded that the questions are rhetorical in nature and are not susceptible to a factual response. Suffice it to say generally that the Board of Selectmen, the Town of Framingham, and its officials and employees endeavor each day to deliver essential municipal services in a courteous and efficient manner, and to enforce all of its bylaws and regulations fairly as to all residents in Town. The Town also is committed to enforcing state and federal laws, including immigration laws, to the extent the enforcement of such laws is within the purview and responsibility of the Town. Mr. Wolfe is free to raise his concerns that the immigration laws are not being fully enforced. just as any citizen is free to petition the government to claim that other laws are not being enforced or that their grievances have not been addressed generally. While proper law enforcement is and should be a concern of this Board and the citizens of this Town, this Board also will not be party to an effort that results in discrimination, unfair treatment or harassment of our valued immigrant population. The Board of Selectmen and Framingham officials work every day to improve the lives of the residents of Town, and do the best job that they can. Simply because Mr. Wolfe does not believe the immigration laws are not being properly enforced in Framingham does not mean that he is correct or that the actions of Framingham officials have been wrong or improper in any way. While Mr. Wolfes questions may engender a lively debate, they really have very little to do with the essential issues that Framingham must address to continue to serve all of its residents in these difficult budgetary times. To accomplish our primary objectives, we must roll up our sleeves and work cooperatively to devise cost-effective, sensible and creative solutions that benefit all, not one group over another.

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