Taking a position: Trust Act/Sanctuary City

The Ordinance Committee of the City Council met last night. While I am not a member of that subcommittee I offered remarks as follows:

Those who favor this proposed ordinance are sincere people who are frustrated at the lack of progress with reforming immigration laws in this country. The Congress and several presidents have done a terrible job of making sure the current immigration laws are enforced, and seem paralyzed when it comes to enacting reforms which address the fact there are people in this country who are law-abiding and want to become citizens through a humane, coherent and fair process.


The City Council can do many things to improve Brockton. However, we cannot and should not become involved in immigration laws and regulations. This is much above our level of responsibility and legislative authority under the City Charter. It is best left to the federal government for many reasons. The most important reason is that if communities across America approve some sort of "regulation" about immigration law we will have a fragmented, mish-mash of requirements that no-one will understand. Further, at our local level we do not have the expertise to apply existing federal immigration laws and court rulings, and make informed decisions on complex immigration and enforcement matters.

When the debate first began the argument was advanced that a person in the country illegally was subject to a civil penalty. That is only partially true. Title 8 U.S.C. 1325 makes it a federal crime punishable by 6 months imprisonment or a fine if the person fails to enter the country through the normal process and complete required documents. If, emphasis if, the person entered properly and overstays an approved visit then a civil penalty is applied. Through research, it became apparent that if you circumvented immigration requirements that, alone, was a federal criminal offense. Should we prevent the Brockton Police from sharing information or cooperating with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) if a request is made to investigate or detain someone who is alleged to have commtted a violation of immigration law? I think the answer should be "no". And what if ICE called to ask that we detain someone suspected of a serious crime, possibly terror related, in another local community? Should we let that person go because no warrant was issued yet even when the person entered the country without complying with immigration requirements? Again, I say no.

The Brockton Police have always had a very positive relationship with state and federal agencies, both enforcement agencies and regulatory agencies. I don't want to compromise that relationship. We may need the state police, ICE the FBI, or ATF to solve a serious crime in the city. Why risk ruining the cooperative spirit that exists between all parties?

The tough part of public service is that you can't please everyone. Some will disagree with my position, some will support it.

I spent almost all of my adult life seeking to fairly and impartially enforce laws and regulations, to treat everyone equally. I can't vote to say "it's okay you didn't comply with federal immigration law" and we will sanction that. I can't make an exception for a special group of people. That erodes everyone's respect for the law.

In conclusion, we should welcome all people who follow laws and regulations and who want to make a positive contribution to the city. That is the character of our country. 

Enterprise News: Attack of the Mice

Please read this recent story about some fellow Brocktonians who own a house and are battling problems from the CSX property recently cleared of tents and people living there.

My solution: CSX should cover costs of whatever the Ocasio Family needs done to repair/protect their home as well as the homes of any other neighbors.

Annual Senior Picnic

The Annual Senior Picnic was held today in the Red Cafeteria at Brockton High School. Many elected officials and candidates attended along with 360 seniors who had a great time. Ms. Janice Fitzgerald, Executive Director of the Council on Aging and her staff organized the event. 

Those participating were Mayor Bill Carpenter, State Senator Mike Brady, Representative Claire Cronin, Representative Gerry Cassidy, along with my fellow Councilors Robert Sullivan, Thomas Monahan, Shirley Asack, Jack Lally, Anne Beauregard; candidates Scott Vecchi for Plymouth County Sheriff, Anthony O'Brien Sr. for Plymouth County Commissioner, and representatives from Sheriff Joe McDonald's re-election committee. Many thanks to Charlie Tartaglia, owner of George's Café, for excellent food, and to all the volunteers including off-duty Brockton Fire personnel who made this day possible.

Edgar Park Neighborhood Association Event

Outstanding turnout at the Edgar Park Neighborhood Association event yesterday with families enjoying various activities and then a movie night. John Hayes and Jacob Tagger put together an event to remember.

Photo - DA Timothy Cruz (far right) and Sheriff Joseph McDonald flank Jacob and his daughter. The other pictures showing lines of families and kids waiting for pizza was priceless!!! Thanks to all the volunteers who made this possible.

50th Anniversary of the Lawrence R. Cosgrove Memorial Pool

The 50th Anniversary of the Lawrence R. Cosgrove Memorial Pool was held yesterday.  The pool, located in Salisbury Park next to the Plouffe Elementary School on Crescent Street is named after the first casualty from Brockton in World War II. 

Bill Hogan, founder of the Downtown Brockton Museum and his volunteers put on a wonderful, 3 day program to commemorate all the pool has meant to Brockton. Here, he is pictured yesterday providing information and historical photos to all who attended.