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January 11, 2007
Ali Noorani, MIRA
(617) 835-1402 - cell
Shu Ohno, MIRA
(617) 350-5480 x204
Boston, MA - At a press conference at the State House today, Governor Deval L. Patrick announced that he will officially rescind the Memorandum of Understanding that would have added federal immigration law enforcement to the duties of the MA State Troopers.
The immigrant community, making up 14% of the Massachusetts population and 17% of the workforce breathed a collective sigh of relief today with the news that Governor Deval L. Patrick is following through on his campaign promise to rescind the MOU.
Immigrant communities and communities of color have expressed concerns with the potential of this agreement in increasing racial profiling. As a recent UMASS study shows, large percentages of Latinos and Blacks have stated that they experienced discrimination in dealing with the police.
MIRA and the immigrant communities across Massachusetts welcome the Governor’s decision to rescind the Memorandum of Understanding.
"It is important that the Governor promotes an environment of trust between the immigrant community and the police, regardless of the uniform," said Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA). "Victims and witnesses of crime must be able to trust the police. This is especially important for the most vulnerable, like those suffering domestic violence. We must foster a climate of trust so that people can seek help without fear of families being torn apart by detentions and deportations."
Governor Patrick also announced an agreement between the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of the Department of Homeland Security and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that will allow specially-trained corrections officers in Concord and Framingham detention facilities to perform limited immigration law enforcement functions, including initiating deportment proceedings against convicted criminal undocumented immigrants.
Noorani concluded, "What the Governor seems to be trying to do is negotiate the difficulties of the broken immigration system. The need to balance security concerns with due process and the rights and needs of individuals and society is the primary reason the country needs a compassionate and comprehensive immigration reform."
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MIRA works to advocate for the rights and opportunities of immigrants and refugees. In partnership with its members, MIRA advances this mission through education, training, leadership development, organizing, policy analysis and advocacy.