Activists Say Rhode Island Needs Arizona Law
Friday, May 28, 2010
More than one hundred people turned out at a State House rally yesterday, showing their support for a Rhode Island-version of the controversial Arizona law that would let local police enforce federal immigration laws.
The bill, which was proposed by state Rep Peter Palumbo, a Cranston Democrat, was swiftly squelched by House Speaker Gordon Fox.
“The power that rests with the Speaker of the House is way inordinate. He took away all of our rights,” said Terry Gorman, the executive director of Rhode Islanders for Immigration Law Enforcement. “I don’t understand how the rest of the House of Representatives sits there and lets that happen.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTA spokesman for Fox has said he did not want the state involved in enforcing federal immigration laws.
Mark Zaccaria, a Republican candidate for Congress in the Second District, said reducing illegal immigration and controlling those already here illegally would save taxpayers money.
“Reducing spending means finding places where we don’t have to pay the money that we’re paying today and paying benefits that are designed for Americans but are going to people who are not Americans is a good place to start,” Zaccaria said.
But Mario Bueno, the executive director of Progreso Latino, claimed the bill would have institutionalized racial profiling. “We don’t feel that racial profiling should be utilized,” Bueno said. “We believe our civil liberties are being endangered and it instills fear in the community.”
“This is just unfortunate and I think the community is going to be vigilant,” Bueno added. “We’re not just going to stand by.”