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| Senator Moore’s bill would discourage employers from hiring illegal aliens on state contracted jobs |
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October 30, 2006...Legislation co-sponsored by Senator Richard T. Moore (D-Uxbridge) aims to stop companies that hire illegal immigrants from doing business with the state. The veteran Uxbridge lawmaker is among a bipartisan group of legislators who have joined with Senator Marc R. Pacheco (D-Taunton) the chief sponsor of the bill that would change the language of an existing law on debarment, which excludes contractors from public works projects for violating state laws or codes. The bill would require state officials to take action against companies that employ illegal immigrants. The current law is advisory, saying officials "may" take action. Senator Moore explained that the bill makes it clear that state government will not do business with companies that violate the law by hiring illegal immigrants. “State government can help to discourage the arrival of illegal immigrants by setting an example for other businesses,” Moore explained. “If illegal immigrants can’t get jobs, they are less likely to want to live here,” he said, noting that the issue of illegal immigrants has resulted from the failure of the federal government to enforce U. S. immigration laws and the national government’s failure to secure America’s borders. If the bill filed by Senators Pacheco, Moore and others becomes law, the state would be required to remove businesses that hire illegal immigrants from the list of eligible bidders on state contracts. “If immigrants follow the rules and arrive here legally, they will still be able to work for Massachusetts companies that do business with the Commonwealth,” Moore said in response to claims that the bill will harm immigrant workers more than companies that hire them. For more information on Senator Moore’s legislation or work in the Senate, log onto www.senatormoore.com |
