Immigrants on Martha’s Vineyard will not be targeted for deportation by local law enforcement agencies. That was one theme that emerged during a community forum Tuesday.
Immigrants on Martha’s Vineyard, regardless of documentation, will not be targeted for deportation by local law enforcement agencies. That was one theme that emerged during a community forum on immigration held on Tuesday night at the Edgartown Public Library. More than 80 people, including close to two dozen Brazilian immigrants, attended the panel discussion, which was followed by a question and answer period.
Adrianne Lafaille, attorney for American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts.
Adrianne Lafaille, attorney for American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts.
The forum was organized by the Martha’s Vineyard Social Justice Foundation, which was incorporated in 2013 to uphold “civil liberties, civil rights and social justice, and keep the flames going under all these issues,” said treasurer Arnie Reisman. The evening was designed to share information in advance of an incoming federal administration that has the Brazilian community on edge.
“People are afraid,” Meirelucia Nunes said in Portuguese translated by Elio Silva, a Vineyard businessman originally from Minas Gerais in southeastern Brazil. Ms. Nunes runs the Portuguese-language Facebook group Brazukada, which with more than 4,000 members has become the equivalent of Islanders Talk for the Vineyard’s Brazilian community. Some of the Brazukada members who attended Tuesday’s forum were afraid to even ask for translations, Ms. Nunes said, although a translator was available.
Yet one of the strongest messages from the nearly two-hour discussion was that Brazilians and other immigrants have nothing to fear from Island authorities, beyond the usual consequences to anyone found breaking local or state statutes.
Forum drew broad spectrum of Island community.
Forum drew broad spectrum of Island community.
“We will ask you if you have a driver’s license if you’re caught speeding,” said Oak Bluffs police chief Erik Blake. “We do not engage in asking people what their status is. That’s not the business we’re in. We enforce state and local laws. We do not enforce federal laws.”
Another message, reinforced by multiple speakers, was that immigrants of any status are entitled to all the basic civil liberties guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, short of voting. These include a free public education and equal protection under the law.
“You don’t have to be a citizen to get full protection,” said Dylan Fernandes, freshman state representative for the Cape and Islands who was sworn in last week. A third-generation American from a Portuguese family, Mr. Fernandes joined Chief Blake in urging Island immigrants to come forward if they witness or are victims of crime.
Moderator and immigration attorney Rebecca McCarthy.
Moderator and immigration attorney Rebecca McCarthy.
“Don’t be afraid to report it. Report it to me,” he said, drawing applause. “You have a resource.”
Mr. Fernandes also raised the question of so-called sanctuary communities, which adopt a policy against prosecuting immigrants for their status. A bill has already been filed in the state legislation to make Massachusetts a sanctuary state, he said, and Island towns can institute their own sanctuary policies.
“Bring it up in town meeting for a vote,” he said.
Teachers and student advocates on the Island are already advancing a plan to designate schools as safe zones, where immigrants may pursue their right to public education without harassment, said Laura Silber of We Stand Together/Estados Todos Juntos Martha’s Vineyard. She urged Islanders to contact superintendent of schools Matthew D’Andrea and teacher union representatives to support the safe zones initiative.
Businessman Elio Silva and attorney Mary Costello.
Businessman Elio Silva and attorney Mary Costello.
Any undocumented immigrant under 21 should also see an immigration attorney, said Adriana Lafaille, a staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts. On the Vineyard, free consultations are available through the Island Wide Youth Collaborative.
Moderator Rebecca McCarthy, an Island immigration attorney who formerly worked in Phoenix, Ariz., the site of Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s controversial raids on immigrant communities, asked panelists about the main challenges immigrant Island families might now face.
“Getting around,” said Mr. Silva.
Without documentation to obtain a driving license, immigrants are forced to drive illegally in order to get to work. While some communities outside Massachusetts have made it possible for undocumented immigrants to obtain licenses as a public safety issue, Mr. Fernandes said, Gov. Charlie Baker opposes such a move and it is currently prohibited under state law.
Laura Silber of We Stand Together Estados Todos Juntos Martha's Vineyard.
Laura Silber of We Stand Together Estados Todos Juntos Martha's Vineyard.
Immigrant families also lack “a viable path to citizenship,” said Mary Costello, an attorney for the Tomassian & Tomassian law firm in Edgartown. There are only two pathways, added Ms. McCarthy: employment and family-based petitions, each of which poses stiff challenges.
“The employment side can be very difficult,” Ms. McCarthy said. And the waiting period after a family-based petition is 13 to 16 years. “There’s just such a backlog,” she said.
Speakers at the forum emphasized the need for grassroots advocacy on behalf of immigrants’ rights. “It doesn’t take much to be an effective advocate on the local level,” Mr. Fernandes agreed.
State Rep. Dylan Fernandes.
State Rep. Dylan Fernandes.
Concluding the evening, social justice foundation vice-president Joe Carter promised more information, in English and Portuguese, would be posted on the group’s soon-to-debut website. He also had a message for the Brazilians in the audience.
“Know that our organization is ready to stand with you on any problem in the community,” he said. “You’re a part of our community. We want you to be a part of our community. We love you being a part of our community.”
After a loud round of applause from the English-speaking audience, Mr. Silva translated Mr. Carter’s words into Portuguese and the Brazilians applauded as well.
Website for the Martha’s Vineyard Social Justice Leadership Foundation is socialjusticemv.org.
Comments
I don't know what part of the
Jim McCann Cambridge, MAI don't know what part of the word "illegal" is so confusing. If any state, city or town decides that they want to be a "sanctuary" for illegals, they're going to risk losing federal funds. You can't pick and choose which laws you like, and enforce, and those you wish to ignore. If you're an elected official, you take an oath of office swearing to uphold the law. If you can't do that, you should resign.
The incoming Trump administration is promising to focus on deporting violent illegal aliens. I certainly hope the Police Chiefs on the island will comply with ICE requests to hold someone if a detainer is put on them. I should think that would be applauded by all, assuming they wish for the well-being and safety of their fellow citizens. However, I won't count on it. Political correctness is so important to some that they can't get past it even to their own detriment.
It would also be nice if those who decide to ignore our laws and crash the border would bother to at least learn the language so they can really "be part of our community". Translators wouldn't be needed.
By the way, there's no such thing as a "free" education. Nothing is free. It's paid for by the taxpayers.
DITTO TO ALL OF THE ABOVE :
John Gault Oak BluffsDITTO TO ALL OF THE ABOVE : “We will ask you if you have a driver’s license if you’re caught speeding,” said Oak Bluffs police chief Erik Blake. “We do not engage in asking people what their status is. That’s not the business we’re in. We enforce state and local laws. We do not enforce federal laws.” Seriously Chief, you only enforce the laws you want to enforce. Living here and see more accident cause by the illegal immigration here on the Vineyard and the local press does not post them. The press can ignore them but come January 20,2017 this will change. (E-Verify)
U.S. law requires companies to employ only individuals who may legally work in the United States – either U.S. citizens, or foreign citizens who have the necessary authorization.
Two points, Jim. First, the
Tom West TisburyTwo points, Jim. First, the word illegal is not a noun. Second, no one is in this country illegally until a federal magistrate declares them to be so. Just because you hear someone speaking Portuguese that does not give you grounds for declaring that they are here without proper papers. Since you use the word illegal incorrectly, it seems safe to assume that you are not a federal magistrate. From my experience on the island, I would guess that a large percentage of Brazilians are here legally or that their status is under review. Like a large number of the Portuguese who came here more than a century ago, many Brazilians have done remarkably well and no doubt will continue to do so.
It is true...
Eiene Santos EdgartownIt is true...
Jim - In the words of
Luiza Mouzinho Edgartown, MAJim - In the words of American journalist Maria Hinojosa, "illegals is NOT a noun. You cannot label a person an 'illegal." She explains that she learned from Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor, that "the first thing they did to the Jewish people was to declare them an illegal people." I also think that individuals, especially elected officials, should exercise critical consciousness. They shouldn't follow laws blindly, but do what is morally right. What exactly does Trump mean by "criminals?" Because it seems he means anyone who enters the country without authorization. Logically, it follows he will be deporting men, women, and children who pose no threat to people's safety. But precisely by labeling people "illegals" or "criminals" incites fear and division within communities. Martha's Vineyard, though, is a welcoming and loving community.
The word, "illegal" is not
Jackie ChilmarkThe word, "illegal" is not confusing. It's just that people who are very hypocritical-- and basically, well, bigoted-- like to pick and choose which laws they think should be obeyed, depending on who they think should be allowed to get away with doing things that are illegal-- like smoking, buying and selling pot regardless of laws, driving and drinking, or my favorite, getting paid in cash so they can cheat on their taxes. It's all very selfish, you see. The people who scream the loudest about "What part of illegal don't you understand" are often the very same ones getting paid under the table and with at least one DUI under their belts.
Happy to hear of this forum
Pam Thors EdgartownHappy to hear of this forum which hopefully will put some of the fears due to the incoming administration aside. As Joe Carter said, " We love you being a part of our community".
It's important to acknowledge
Dean Rosenthal EdgartownIt's important to acknowledge that all taxpayers pay for public education, public safety, and many other local details through local and and federal taxes. It's also important to acknowledge that all Americans and legal immigrants pay taxes that fund the country and local municipalities that uphold the Consitution that even the president, whether we like her or him or not, is sworn to uphold. At the same time, we can dissent. But we must acknowledge in our dissent that we must be accurate in our claims. If we can figure out a way to have the undocumented pay taxes, that is one direction that will be positive to make sure that the rights of all living in this country, including Martha's Vineyard, are continually being supported fairly under the Declaration and the Constitution, which clearly states the right to levy taxes. In the Constitution, it is Section 8.1 and in the 16th Amendment. It is a law that all who live under this Constitution, with all the rights they claim, and may dissent from, and to know they are doing so in dissent, as well local law enforcement and those in public service and in the school systems may also dissent, essentially working for free for some, but not all.
Mr Fernandez what
Pauli D EdgartownMr Fernandez what constitution did you swear to uphold. What laws? Your own or the taxpayer citizenry that you represent? I don't recall anyone voting for the promises that these so called leaders are saying they can do. If you are illegal that is against the law.
My only problem with this
N Vineyard havenMy only problem with this article is stating that immigrants "are forced to drive illegally in order to get to work." No, there are buses, car pools, cabs, uber, and on this island many hitch hike safely. Others who may not have licenses find ways to get around, including teens, elderly, and people whose licenses have been taken away. If it's expensive or inconvenient to take legal transportation, well that's part of the cost of living that should be factored into your budget. No one FORCES you to drive illegally, you choose to break the law
Is the quote "we don't
Joseph Carlucci EdgartownIs the quote "we don't enforce Federal laws" really coming from a chief of police in Massachusetts in this United States? How is that even possible? doesn't matter what ones politics are or stance on immigration, I am appalled that a standing chief of police would not enforce a Federal law and publicly state this in the press. How can this be?
I have never commented on any story and in fact, I feel that this dilemma is a serious issue, but a police chief that doesn't enforce Federal laws is just plain wrong.
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