Keller @ Large: Patrick Clueless On Illegal Immigration Safety Crisis

September 27, 2011 8:31 AM

Governor Patrick at the MEMA bunker, August 26, 2011. (Photo Courtesy: Matt Bennett/Governor’s Office)

Reporting Jon Keller

Filed under

Heard On WBZ NewsRadio 1030, Keller @ Large, Local, News, Politics, Syndicated Local, Watch + Listen

BOSTON (CBS) – After five years in office, we’ve learned quite a bit about Gov. Deval Patrick.

Listen to Jon’s commentary:

We’ve come to know, for instance, that he is a very savvy politician, a person of principle, with the ability to learn from his mistakes.

That’s the good news about Gov. Patrick, the part that helped bring him back from the brink of political extinction in his re-election bid last year.

But outside of Jacoby Ellsbury, no human being is perfect in this world.

And so it is with the governor, who has been treating us lately to a glimpse of his bad-news side, the tone-deaf, arrogant pol who cannot or will not acknowledge that we have a serious public-safety crisis on our hands in the form of criminal behavior by illegal immigrants.

This has been going on for years.

Most people here illegally are otherwise law-abiding and eager to avoid any interaction with law enforcement, so they tend to avoid committing dangerous crimes like drunken driving.

Their fear of the police makes them easy marks for the illegals among them who have no such compunction, not to mention the rest of us.

But since the day he took office, when he ended a Romney-era practice of allowing state police to detain them, Gov. Patrick has been on a mission to restrict law enforcement’s ability to identify and pursue illegals suspected of criminal activity.

He reversed a campaign pledge last spring by backing out of a federal program that streamlines information sharing about arrests of illegals.

In the wake of the horrific death this summer of Matthew Denice of Milford – allegedly at the hands of a drunk-driving illegal with a long rap sheet – county sheriffs and state legislators have tried to take action.

But the governor has the gall to claim its much ado about nothing, and dismiss their efforts as mere headline grabbing.

Here’s a headline for you, governor:

“Outraged Citizens Demand Clueless Governor Set Ideology and Posturing Aside and Protect Them.”

Coming soon, if it hasn’t already, to a newspaper near you.

You can listen to Keller At Large on WBZ News Radio every weekday at 7:55 a.m. and 12:25 p.m. You can also watch Jon on WBZ-TV News.

Keller @ Large: Patrick Clueless On Illegal Immigration Safety Crisis

aza-aza

да прикольно все это -вот только не так выглядит вот этот проект oknaizdereva.od.ua

Boris Medvedev

Come again?
Ann

AZA-AZA what did you say we cant read what you said
sullyinma

aza-aza,

Speak english, you’re in America.

buildmeister

Really? WBZ’s website isn’t available in any countries that speak Russian?

tsal

I’m not sure if every politician in the country (with rare exception) is clueless to the illegal immigration problem. Some are even offering the illegals free in-state tuition.

Jon, I am glad to see this topic here and am hoping for more information than I am finding about it. I saw this story and VERY quickly read about the secure communities program. It says on ICE site that a state cannot opt out so how did we? Also, it says repeatedly that the program will create no additional work for the law enforcement agencies of the states – it’s all federal.

Maybe the program has been updated and the Web site has not been.

ICE site says that Secure Communities requires corrections to send finger prints of all arrested to the feds. My understanding is that corrections in MA already does this. My question is that if this is the requirement and we are doing it, why are the sheriffs going to Washington?

I’m hoping someone here knows the law or what it is we are opting out of if we can’t opt out.

foamy

The state does send the fingerprints to Washington, but Secure Communities dictates that the prints are sent to ICE specifically. Our state, of course, does NOT send them to ICE. If the Governor would leave his gigantic ego out of this and make that one small change….then we wouldn’t have a problem.

The other thing the Governor has said repeatedly is that there IS no “Program” called “Secure Communities” to opt out of. This is a professional politician playing wordsmith to maintain and even further his agenda. And yes, I realize that most (if not all) politicians do similar things….but I don’t know how he still thinks he can hide behind it with the rash of incidents lately. Thanks to Jon for calling him to task. The voters should have done this last year.

tsal

Hi foamy – thank you – that was the explanation I was looking for. Makes no sense to me if we already send them to washington why they don’t go to ICE. I had the sense that the Sheriff’s had a very good reason.

:) My comment about all politicians is accurate as you know. It was more tongue in cheek in hopes that this would not become a knee jerk blame the liberals discussion and keep the blame on our governor and not because he’s a democrat but because he is clearly – as Jon said – clueless about the problem we have.

JohnC

You have said it all, Jon.
Enough

Sadly, even if the Governor sees this he will arrogantly dismiss it per usual. You can’t tell him he’s wrong or call him to task on anything, he is the Great and Wonderful Leader. He has always been sympathetic to Illegals, along with many of his Democratic cohorts in Mass. He has created a sanctuary state and is fine with that, and has the immigrant groups in his ear telling him not to profile or be racist or target illegals in any way. Arizona has the right idea, but of course they are being thwarted at every turn by Washington because heaven forbid we make anyone feel offended or profiled. Until all politicians get their heads out of the sand and actually LISTEN to the people this problem will continue and the floodgates will stay open. Just coming here illegally is a crime, not to mention fraud (ID, public assistance, driving, etc.) yet people turn a blind eye and pretend it’s ok, and we even give them more – tuition breaks, etc??? While our own citizens struggle to get by? Those of us of sound mind can only hope this new bill will pass and be enforced.
jaygee

I will say it once again. If a member of Governor Patrick’s immediate family was severely injured or killed by an illegal immigrant who was driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle without benefit of a driver’s license and he or she was also drunk, there would be new laws on the books by Friday. This problem is everywhere, not just in Mass. and someone had better step up to the plate and do something about it….and quickly. Illegal means just that, against the law.

Jon Keller

Let’s leave the governor’s family out of this please, I see no reason to doubt that he has compassion for victims of violent crime, even if I’m skeptical of his approach to fighting it

A

@ Jon
While I will agree with you to leave any particular individuals and/or their families out of the issue, I will too, delicately side with Jaygee

Until this hits closer to home at these politicians (across the board), we will not see any action.

I don’t write the rules, but I know the game

And while the last thing I would ever want is for anyone to be submitted to such actions, what ever they may be, politician living in cocoons of security, drivers and private schools/upscale neighborhoods, simple cannot or will not relate to people on the street. Not until it hits home. Sad but true

decol

I hope you people that voted the Governor back in office for another 4 years of coddling illegals are patting yourselves on the back now!

tsal

I voted for him and I would do it again. I don’t agree with all he does – especially this – although he got us through the recession far better than many other states. If you have found someone you have voted for that has been perfect, I’d love to know that person’s name because he/she should be running for the oval office in 2012.

decol

Well good for you !! point of fact: there is no perfect politician. Nobody is perfect, we just try to do the best we can—–
web

I also don’t expect perfection, but for the sake of any spec of landslide, I always vote for Republican. It doesnt even matter if I agree with most of what is said..this state is completely too far left leaning to be anything even pretending to be objective….so I always vote Republican until maybe its 70-30 or 60-40…then I will actually listen to what people are saying.
tsal

web I don’t vote party and have never – personally – understood how anyone can. I vote for the person I feel aligns himself most closely with my ideals knowing that I’m not going to agree with everything. When you made your comment I had to check to see how many governors form MA I’d voted for from each party. Going back to Sargent who was the first I was old enough to vote for I’ve voted and actively campaigned for all republican except one. There was a time that the republican party – although it’s always favored the wealthy – actually cared about everyone. I’m hoping the party can shift back to its base but at the moment I’m not seeing any desire to do so.
Petetm

Can you tell us what good he has actually done while in office? What has he changed for the better?
A

No one should expect perfection from any elected politician.

But it is quite reasonable to expect our elected politician to obay, follow and enforce the laws which they were sworn to uphold

It is no different that any one of us. If we were hired to do a job and we don’t do, we get terminated.

He was elected to do a job and he is not doing it. Hence he should be removed

tjb

his comments are offensive……. his lack of concern for citizens is confusing, along with his concern of illegals, just for their votes, how selfish… i will never understand lib voters, maybe we need 2 governors? one for illegals, and one whos concerns are with the citizens…… his adminsitration, and his supporters have blood on their hands….. he should resign today, id like to see him charged with some type of “aiding and abetting” charge, along with his buddy in dc to boot!

tsal

I’m not sure I understand your comment about not understanding liberal voters. Is it easier to understand the conservative voters in texas who elected a governor who adamantly supports in-state tuition for illegals. To take that one step further, that governor has a bunch of illegal students who are tied to illegal parents and being allowed to stay knowingly in the state.

This is across the board – not liberal and not conservative – period.

Nab71

Tsai
Texas has an even bigger problem than we have due to location, history,demographics and the man in charge. I don’t agree with in state tuition, but I can understand the decision in Texas due to all those factors. That said, if Deval keeps listening only to those who agree with him, the ones that he views as his real constituents, our problem will rival Texas.

F Dos Santos

tjb, what are you talking about? Are you aware that illegals CANNOT vote? And if so how can he care for their “votes”? This shows how ignorant some people posting here are.

don

IDIOT! whaqt do you think keeping the illegals are for, cheap labor, or maybe amnesty at which point the garbage will be allowed to vote idiot
A

F Dos

Are you aware that a person without a drivers license, cannot drive a car ??

In the case of Obama’s uncle, wasn’t it clear that an illegal can get both drivers license, SSN, work and continue to exist while under a federal deportation order ?

Isn’t it clear that there currently, because of Deval’s refusal, exist no voter ID and all you are asked for is a government issued ID – such as a Drivers License.

Illegals cannot vote ? completely wrong. They may not be voting but they certainly can and very easily because there is no control.

Now, ask yourself this – is it completely impossible that Deval isn’t protecting this group so he gets there backing. Either through direct votes or via Minority Rights Groups, Latino Rights Group and Immigration Rights Groups ?

So yes. Deval most certainly care for their votes or at the very least, pleasing the groups that are protecting them

Ron

Well said Jon. I like the Gov but in the next election the candidate who is for punishing and seeking deportation of these criminals will be getting my vote.
Ellen

If the “goevernor” were to join this program thenit would affect his relationship with his good friend Barak Obama, since his uncle is one of hte illegals we are tlaking about.
NikW

This governor is clueless but I am sorry, so are those who keep re electing him!
Ed dracut

What a perfect headline. You are spot on. Remember inside of every illegal immigrant is a Democrat waiting to come out and vote the party line.
dd

How is Deval doing this for votes from illegals? That makes no sense at all. Did we grant illegals the right to vote and I didn’t know? Anyway Deval is dead wrong on this issue. Devals priorities should be to the legal tax paying citizens of this state not to people commiting the crime of being in this counrty illegally

Nab71

Some of these votes would come later when citizenship is granted. Others happen now because there is no requirement for a voter ID, and ,of course, the Governor opposes a requirement. The idea of not requiring an ID originates in a time when people knew their neighbors and did not move frequently. Times have changed, Even though i have voted in the same place for 20 years there are times I do not know any of the officials at the polls. Pass the law and require that the state make it relatively simple to get a voter ID.
A

@dd

Take Obama’s uncle

If the illegals can get legal drivers licenses, legal SSN, legal residence and legal work, what on earth is preventing them from registering for voting ?

Especially since Deval is also refusing to actually check if those voting are legal.

Deval’s job is to uphold the constitution of Massachusetts and he isn’t.
He is not only not enforcing the laws, he is refusing to do so.

That in itself should be grounds for removal from that position.

But hey, when you have a President in the White House who doesn’t seem to interested in following the constitution and not overly interested in enforcing federal laws, why should Deval ? They are after all, buddies

I am an immigrant. A legal immigrant. I went through the applications, waiting my time and got green card and then waited my time and I am not a US Citizen.

I can without hesitation, and maybe add a little hollywood to it as well, that illegal immigration is a clear and present danger to the security of this nation and its rightful legal residents.

It is in my eyes as important as the war on drugs and I wonder if those two are not even deeper related than most think.

The Federal and State governments refusal to deal with this threat to the United States is mind blowing.
YaKnow

Ever hear of voter fraud? How do we know they aren’t voting…???? I can’t prove that they are, and no one can prove that they are not.

Mark

The illegals will have ‘legal’ children who will vote the party line in 18 years thereby guaranteeing (D) s for life in the Mass. legislature.See,once the kids are granted in-state tuition it’s only a matter of time before they are acclimated into our society and the liberals push to let them vote.The Socialists are here and they are more dangerous than Al Queda for they blend into our culture and then outbreed the working class. There hasn’t been a democrat in an elected position in Massachusetts for decades.The people who now claim to be Dems are really liberal Socialists. We need a new political party that speaks for the working class.These DINO’s (Democrats In Name Only) represent the non-working class and the Socialist-Liberal-Illegal-Criminal-I don’t need to speak English-Entitlement groups.
JaniN

dd – You made a good point about illegals voting. In other countries, such as our neighbor to the north, you must be a citizen and show ID when you go to vote. If politicians are pandering to illegals, the practice of showing ID proving residency and citizenship would stop them. There should be a law in this state to show residency and ID as a US citizen at the polls.. The illegals have got to go. If you want to be here, then come in the ‘front door’ like our ancestors did instead of ‘sneaking in the back door’. Become responsible US citizens, pay taxes, hold down a legal job, becomes part of the solution in getting America back on track and stop being part of the problem by draining resources/monies that you never made a contribution to.

tsal

have you tried to come in the front door? I am not in any way form or shape saying we should accept illegals. However, I know of instances where it takes years to bring a family member of a legal citizen of this state/country here. This is when job is guaranteed, the person speaks english, housing is guaranteed and the family member attempting to get them here are guaranteeing support in the even that something happens with the job.

We need to straighten out red tape. Many are here for a free ride and handouts but many are also here because it is impossible to get here legally without giving up your first born child.

Jon Keller

Good point about the need to reform the ludicrous system of gaining citizenship, which unfairly penalizes law-abiding immigrants and encourages illegal entry and residence.
web

Let’s not exaggerate too much, though you’re close. My family came here legally, we waited our 4 years (back and forth and back and forth)..but we did make it legally. So it offends me when, due to geographic advantage, people from the southern countries can walk on over (I certainly couldn’t swim across the Atlantic). 4 years was a long wait, I didn’t give up my first born child, but it wasn’t as long as people think.
Nab71

And that is the crime. The people who demonstrate the ability to be good citizens are kept out. People who violate the rules demand amnesty. What a contradiction.
Tsal

Web you appear to be lucky. I had to check my facts but one of the people I was referring to took 12 years. His daughter still is not allowed here because she’s over 21 even though she was 8 when he began the process. And another of the people I referred to was lucky. It only took a bit more than 6 years. Either way glad you made it here and you did it the rit way

Steve Rhoades

The federal government won’t protect U.S. workers, local communities
and taxpayers from illegal immigration.
Push your state representative to make a change.
Google this: NUMBERSUSA .
Once you are registered, go to the “action buffet” to send FREE faxes now.
They are all typed up and ready to go, you just need to click your mouse to send.

tsal

Thanks Steve

Michele

My question is, whats in it for him? A man like Duval doesn’t take such a strong, unpopular stance on an issue unless there was something in it for him. So what is it?

gramps

Afternoon Michele,

Here is the reason.

Deval is like a farmer sewing seeds……”For his 2016 run for the ‘Oval Office’!

He’s either ‘for’ or ‘against’ any law, program, idea or opinion that will enhance or can’t be used against him in his quest to be called ‘Mr. President’!

By 2016 the country’s demographic pendulum will be swinging to his liking. In the mean time he’ll do nothing to alienate ‘ANY’ ethnic group.

He’s ‘good budies’ with Obama, yet refused to take a position in DC….WHY?….Cause he didn’t & doesn’t want to be associated with any miss steps of Obama’s administration…..Could possibly be used against him in his 2016 campaign.

So until then, he’ll sit back & take notes on Obama’ mishaps & compile a ‘Do’s & Dont’s’ list……Push for ‘Free or reduced Tuition’ for illegal’s…..No ‘ID’s at the voting booth…..Look the other way when ‘EBT cards are used for ‘vacations to Vegas & Hawaii’….&….Be against ‘Secure Communities’ & protect those ‘ID’less voters for his 2016 run…

gramps
Jon Keller

You may disagree with the governor as strenuously as you like – I do. But please do not intentionally misspell his name. It is a needless and demeaning display of disrespect.

gramps

Afternoon Jon,

I’ve reviewed my diatribe & I don’t see the misspelling of any persons name….?.

If you could point it out, my ’12 year parochial school’ past will compel me to ‘write it’ 500 times using both sides of the paper.

‘TIA’,

gramps……PS

I’ll assume we’re on the same page about everything else concerning ‘His Governorship’ & his future plans?

Look up

I believe Mr. Keller responded to Michele’s spelling of: “Duval.”

gramps

‘OH’!….nevermind….

It’s time for my nap B/4 the big game & I don’t feel like writing anything ’500′ times.

Go ‘Sox’,

gramps

sullyinma

gramps,

Look up at Michele’s original post. Jon was correcting her when she spelled it as DUVAL, rather than DEVAL.

You owe Jon an apology.

It ain’t fair!

As a member of the so-called middle-class along with being a resident of this state, with Patrick in charge I feel as if I’m trying to ski uphill – on ice.

mikey

Patrick’s position on illegal immigration doesn’t come within a million miles to the edge of commonsense. Steroidal cluelessness – that’s Patrick.
taxedout

Any way to Impeach this guy???? Illegals with drivers licenses, in Public housing, dealing drugs and this turkey sees nothing wrong!!!Yeah where is Obama’s uncle now, back on the job with his SS card earning more credits than you???? One of the jobs of this guy and the legislature is to protect the people of the state. Along with the 6 time Illegal drunk who just got arrested we worry more about changing Christmas vacation to winter vacation or the merits of eliminating the Pledge of Allegience!!!!
Michele

I don’t doubt you Gramps, but what I don’t understand is why align yourself with illegals that can not vote? And at the same time anger the citizens that can. Two reasons come to mind and I could be totally wrong but, does he have illegal family members he is trying to protect? its it Obama’s illegal family members that are driving this? Or is there voter fraud going on? Is that why he is so opposed to requiring ID for voters?

Yikes

Because pandering to the illegals guarantees the votes of all special interest groups that are fighting for them. Also, voter ID is not required so voter fraud would be possible. And, illegals have one sometimes multiple fake ID’s/social security numbers. If he goes against illegals, then the latino immigrant rights group and all their friends decries racism and profiling, and he losess all those votes. These groups are so loud they have the Democrats trembling if they don’t agree with them.
gramps

Evening Michele,

You ask: “but what I don’t understand is why align yourself with illegals that can not vote? And at the same time anger the citizens that can”

Good ?!

Imo:

His motive is ‘ego’…..&…..his firm belief that he’s smarter than the ‘electorate’, the fact he was re-elected, proves he ‘is’!

“Never have so many, known so little, about so ‘MUCH’”….. We only have ‘ourselves’ to blame, for WE created “give it all, free for all, TAX it all Deval”

gramps

foxy

I can see tsal drank the kool aid!

tsal

because I am against illegal immigrants or I pointed out that it is not just a problem on the left? You’ll have to be more specific if that isn’t too difficult a request for you?

Nab71

Easy tsai, sometimes your posts are a little difficult to follow because you make diverse points. You did say in a different thread that you wanted a constructive discussion even though you agreed that some of the people posting were “trolls.”
Tsal

Nab I don’t believe I have ever used the term troll. Diverse perhaps because I try to see many sides. However why “easy tsal”. I simply asked for an explanation.
Nab71

Tsai,

Perhaps I misunderstood this exchange:

petem

I knew it would be a troll-fest today.

September 26, 2011 at 2:18 pm | Reply | Report comment
tsal

hahahahahahaha – hi petem – I was thinking the same thing as I read the comments

If so my apologies.
Tsal

I believe those were his words. And yes you misunderstood. I was responding to him and I don’t see my use of word troll but since I tend to type very quickly between work I can see how my comments can be misunderstood so no apology necessary. I’ll work on being clearer

Mark

I know!! Let’s give him to Mongo! Mongo will make tiny little sheriff meatballs out of that new sheriff. The Deval Patrick memorial tollbooth: what’ll that %@*%&$^ think of next.Somebody go back and get a &$@*load of dimes!
just sayin’

Something for Patrick to consider: From Secure Communities activation through March 2011, 140,396 convicted criminal aliens have been booked into ICE custody resulting in 72,445 deportations. What the hell is wrong with Patrick?
Nab71

One of the reasons that this problem exists is that until 1965 there was unlimited immigration allowed from countries in the Western Hemisphere, partly to make up for previous imperialist policies.. A quota of 120,000 per year was imposed, in 1975 the quota for these countries was further limited to 20,000 per year with stricter standards. Since that time the governments of these countries have felt that a gentlemen’s agreement had been violated and , in many cases have openly encouraged illegals

tsal

Interesting Nab. Is there any indication that the ones they encourage to illegally immigrate are the ones they also would prefer not to have in their country.

Nab71

Tsal

For those countries the US has always been an escape valve and now a source of income as money is sent back and brought back from the US

massman

TSAL – Don’t get sucked into the hate. Mr. Keller made a very good point in his article. “Most people here illegally are otherwise law-abiding”. Most are just looking for a better life. Do you think if this article was about creating an easier path to citizenship, that the response would be any different? Nobody wants crime in their neighborhood. Who doesn’t want to see illegal immigrants that cause crime deported? That is just a smaller part of a bigger issue.

tsal

Hi massman – Good comments. That’s why I brought up the difficulty in getting here legally. If it takes 12 years or even four, it will force people to find a “quicker” way to get here. I also know of cases where people have been here what they thought was legally for years and have contributed as model citizens but suddenly – because of a lawyer mess up or foolish red tape – they are no longer legal.

That being said, I do not understand the push back on participating in secure communities. If the data given above about it’s success is accurate, it’s something we should be part of. It seems to target the criminal illegals and not anyone here as law-abiding individual.
Enough

Even the ones who work may still take advantage – many come here illegally and have babies that are automatic citizens and get put right on mass health, etc. We taxpayers pay for that. And the country is broke. Sorry, if they really want to come for a better life then do it the legal way. If it takes a while, sorry, those are the rules. You go to a country you follow it’s rules or you don’t go. There are also many who come illegally and do work, but send almost all the money they earn back home to their families in their home countries. How does that help the US that money being earned is being sent out of the country? If they aren’t spending the money here how are they productive?