Will Chafee Push RI Into Housing Undocumented Immigrant Children?

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Kate Nagle, GoLocal Contributor

Will Rhode Island be housing undocumented immigrant children at the request of the federal government in the foreseeable future?

After Governor Chafee announced a change this week to the state's policy on immigration detainers -- saying detainers now will require a warrant or Immigrant and Customs Enforcement (ICE) involvement -- civil liberties champions are lauding the move, while others are warning of what could be next.

"Governor Lincoln Chafee has so far refused to say whether he will arrange for illegal alien children from the southern border to be accommodated in Rhode Island," said RI Taxpayers, who bill themselves as advocates for 'honest, effective, and fiscally sound government'.  "In a move that may foreshadow his intentions, he ordered Rhode Island law enforcement not to honor ICE immigration detainers unless a warrant for the individual has been issued."  

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"We are all very sympathetic to the plight of these children who are, in part, victims of mixed signals sent by the United States," pointed out R.I. Taxpayers President Larry Girouard.  "However, Rhode Islanders would pay a high price, budgetarily, economically and perhaps even public health-wise, if Governor Chafee acts out of misguided compassion in this matter."

The RI ACLU lauded the move on Rhode Island's adoption of the new immigration policy, noting that "over 130 jurisdictions across the country in the past few months have voluntarily adopted policies, like the new Rhode Island policy, of no longer honoring ICE detainers that are issued without judicial authorization."

Brown said that while the RI ACLU didn't have a position on whether Rhode Island should -- or shouldn't -- take in undocumented immigrant children if asked by the Obama administration, he pointed to a national ACLU post, "The Kids Aren't Alright: America Fails to Protect Youth in Crisis.

Neighboring States Tackle Issue -- RI Next?

RI Taxpayers noted that they were urging Rhode Islanders to contact Governor Chafee in support of their stance.

"Earlier this week, Connecticut declined a request by the federal government to accommodate 2,000 illegal alien children.  Many Rhode Islanders have contacted Governor Chafee's office and urged him to do the same," RI Taxpayers said. 

While Governor Chafee has yet to make a pronouncement on the issue, Governor Deval Patrick in Massachusetts, who has been asked by the federal government to take some of the children, told the Associated Press that "similar requests have been made to all states."

"This was reported in a newspaper," said Chafee spokesperson Faye Zuckerman.  "We do not know if that is accurate."

Zuckerman then went on to point out that according to media sources, Governor Hassan (NH) has not been contacted about sheltering unaccompanied children, and also that "Colorado’s Governor Hickenlooper is quoted in the Washington Post as saying that he also has not been contacted."  Patrick's office did not respon when asked to clarify his statement.

Kathy Cloutier with Dorcas International Institute said that should Rhode Island be asked to take in the children -- and Governor Chafee accepts -- that the agency could be able to provide some services.

"I don't want to get involved in the politics but as a refugee settlement agency, we could be able to provide some services, if they were legally identified as refugees," said Cloutier.  "If they're illegal and undocumented, they wouldn't be eligible say for Medicaid as refugee status would afford, so we'd have to refer them to free clinics.  I've heard the federal government is providing services within the shelters, but we work closely with the state around refugees -- we have inroads with a number of communities, we could provide interpretation and translation.

"Obviously, it's a bigger issue, politically, which I wouldn't get into," said Cloutier of the recent actions of the Obama Administration.  "We're a human service organization, we understand the needs of people who traveled long distance to get here, if you understand what refugees have been through.  More than likely, these children have seen violence and conflict. "

Governor -- and Candidates -- on Record

Two candidates for Governor are staunchly opposed to Rhode Island taking in undocumented immigrant children at the behest of the federal government -- Allan Fung and Ken Block.  

"Mayor Fung has stated his position that comprehensive immigration reform must be enacted by the federal government.  Mayor Fung has expressed empathy for those who seek to come into the United States to escape difficult conditions, but as the son of legal immigrants from China, he believes that immigration laws already on the books must be enforced," said Fung spokesperson Rob Coupe.  "Rhode Islanders, who are struggling already to pay for existing programs, should not be forced to sustain this additional burden."

"The real issue is this country can’t afford uncontrolled immigration but that is what we have.  We also can’t afford to have two paths to immigration.  One that is expensive and legal and the other that is illegal.  We need to secure our borders and enact comprehensive immigration reform," said Block.

"In a perfect world we would be able to help and support everyone who needs it, but as a state we are not doing enough to care for the legal residents that are here now.  Rhode Island has individuals who can’t find jobs, veterans who are homeless, developmentally disabled who have had services cut, and seniors who need more assistance.  Many of our own citizens are struggling just to put food on the table.  In addition, our state is among the worst economically," Block continued.  "Rhode Islanders can’t afford this additional financial burden therefore the answer is no."

RI Taxpayers Chartier said that she believed the issue is bigger than just want happens in Rhode Island.  "This is going to be an issue. The [Obama] Administration is making the children a pawn in a political game.  Any money that the federal government says that they will give will never be enough. Are we not going to educate these children, give them healthcare.  This is a burden on all Rhode Islanders."

When asked about reports that the Chafee administration has been looking into possible locations to accommodate the federal government's request if asked, Zuckerman said, "It is too soon to have this discussion but at the proper time, we will." 

Zuckerman said that contrary to what Patricks said, Chafee has not been contacted to date by the Administration on the issue.

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