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GRAFTON, Mass. - Reacting to news that President Barack Obama's uncle was granted a hardship license so he can continue to work as manager of a Grafton liquor store, state Rep. George N. Peterson Jr. joined House Republican leadership in calling for a review of state measures involving the driving and employment privileges of illegal immigrants.
Peterson, R-Grafton, was surprised on Tuesday when he learned that Onyango Obama, the half-brother of the president's late father, who was arrested for drunk driving in August, was given a hardship license by the Registry of Motor Vehicles so he could continue working for Conti Liquors of Framingham. Even more surprising: the registry noted that Obama would be working as a manager of Five Star Liquors in Grafton, along with a Framingham liquor store.
Obama has been summonsed to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Burlington next week to arrange his pending deportation. Obama, a Kenyan citizen, has been living in the country illegally since 1963 and was ordered deported in 1992.
In a letter to Governor Deval Patrick co-signed by Peterson, House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. and other members of the House Republican Leadership, the case was cited as part of a demand to immediately review the state Registry of Motor Vehicles' process when approving and renewing drivers' licenses.
"As we are sure you are well aware, recent media events surrounding the arrest of Onyango Obama, an illegal immigrant, have illuminated gaping holes in our state’s procedures for the issuance and renewal of driver’s licenses," the letter reads. "As recently as yesterday, Mr. Obama, who was previously arrested for driving under the influence, was granted a hardship license and had his driving privileges reinstated- albeit restricted. This has raised concerns for us and the residents of our districts relative to the current licensing procedure."
The legislators are also requesting a review of the current procedures for Massachusetts’ businesses to confirm the immigration status of individuals applying for employment. The letter states that current resources for businesses are "meager at best."
"Governor Patrick, we owe it to the residents and taxpayers of the great state of Massachusetts to ensure that we, as public officials, are doing all that we can to protect their safety and best interests," the letter reads. "By taking the initial step to review the current practices implemented by state agencies, we will be in better in a better position to make recommendations for reform, if needed."
Comments (32)
The administration's more recent action on illegal imigration...no surprise here:
http://articles.boston.com/2011-08-19/news/29905974_1_immigration-policy-overhaul-immigration-court-deportation
The Tea Party and the conservative right are all "Ginned Up" over this because this involves Obama. Nice to see that someone rightly mentioned Saint Ronnie Reagan who if you really think of it, is responsible for most of the problems we have today. From deficit spending, to the rise of China, to radical Islam, to the failed war on drugs, to Ilegal immigration, their great "hero" started it all. He also would have supported Obamas health care bill. But since it comes from Obama they are forced "HATE" it.
Within this rambling, which is primarily politically fueled, I wish to correct you on one obvious, and some would say *overstated* fact...President Reagan would *not* have supported obamacare. If one only searches for Pres Reagan's speach on socialized healthcare on Youtube, one will find a plethera of old clips...audio and video...where the late Pres firmly speaks *against* such ideas, and *why* he rejects such ideas.
Come to the table prepared, but if you don't have all the facts lined up, you can simply leave whatever issue you're not sure about behind, and we wouldn't judge you for it. Pres Reagan would have spoke against obamacare.
To JBIRDBOMBS--I am very sorry to hear of your great misfoturne and send out the best healing vibes I can. Not a pretty story.
BUT please expalin how the individual's immigration status had any bearing on what happened? ANY driver without insurance or assets, and there are millions of them, would have the exact same result following an accident. And there are numerous drivers who continue to drive without licenses, and if they have no assets, again the same result. And even if the driver had proper insurance and/or assets I strongly suspect not much would be different since it takes years to fight for reimbursement and/or damage awards during which time you remain unable to pay your bills due to lack of employment, mounting bills and a host of other issues. And when you do finally get an award the health insurance company will come after you for reimbursement for anything they have already paid out.
To nipmuc--I have no doubt that today there are many people willing and able to do the job, BUT we do not know the history. It sounds as if he has worked there for years and perhaps his loyalty and performance are being rewarded with continued employment despite recent events. I know nothing about Mr. Conti but is it possible there is a family relationship here, and blood always trumps. It is also possible, and even likely, that he works for a wage below what many would now accept.
I could point out hundreds of citizens right here in MA who are double and triple dipping into the system getting full time pay for multiple jobs, all of these people should give up all but one full time job in favor of others.
To dontbeajerk--you make some valid points but lose the hyperbole, insult, and minor vulgarity and you will make your points more forcefully and be taken more seriously.
You people make me sick. Immigrants come to this country and the vast majority of them are bogged down in the complicated and lengthy process we have here. To blame someone for working and paying taxes when they aren't a legal citizen is astonishingly stupid. The hateful comments on here consistently fail to focus their ire on the actual employer who may be breaking laws. You might also consider if illegal immigrants aren't able to work they will either have to be rounded up fascist style like cattle and deported, put in immigrant detention centers pending whatever disposition, or stepped over in the streets homeless and destitute - all of which will come out of our pockets in taxes and other fees. Jeez, have some empathy and use your friggin' heads.
Empathy??
Take a minute to google what other nations do with illegal imigrants! I think the regular US policy to deal with this matter, when the system is correctly executed, is more than empathetic towards them. He's lucky he gets the chance at deportation, or possibly,if he really wants to show good faith, actually go through the correct process of becoming a legal citizen.
To just generalize what some other nations do with illegal imigrants, or illegal border crossings:
Mexico: – Illegal entry into the country is equivalent to a felony punishable by two years’ imprisonment. Document fraud is subject to fine and imprisonment; so is alien marriage fraud. Evading deportation is a serious crime; illegal re-entry after deportation is punishable by ten years’ imprisonment. Foreigners may be kicked out of the country without due process.
– Law enforcement officials at all levels — by national mandate — must cooperate to enforce immigration laws, including illegal alien arrests and deportations. The Mexican military is also required to assist in immigration enforcement operations. Native-born Mexicans are empowered to make citizens’ arrests of illegal aliens and turn them in to authorities.
{But, on a side note, about our *neighbor to the south*: In September 2007, Mexican President Calderón harshly criticized the United States government for the crackdown on illegal immigrants from Mexico, saying it has led to the persecution of immigrant workers without visas. "I have said that Mexico does not stop at its border, that wherever there is a Mexican, there is Mexico", he said.]..How do you like that *empathy?*}
Japan, South Korea, and China: The police can stop anyone and ask for ID. No ID, no problem, you are escorted to the nearest police station for an extended chat. If found to be in the country illegally, you are jailed, fined, and deported. White foreigners get the same treatment as nonwhite foreigners.
Russia: Illegal border crossing is considered a crime, and captured illegal border crossers have been sentenced to a prison term. For example, Rossiyskaya Gazeta reported in October 2008 the case of a North Korean who was detained after illegally crossing the Amur River from China. Considered by Russian authorities an "economic migrant", he was sentenced to 6 months in prison and was to be deported to the country of his nationality after serving his sentence, even though he may now risk an even heavier penalty there. That was just one of the 26 cases year-to-date of illegal entrants, of various nationalities, receiving criminal punishment in Amur Oblast.
Syria: Refugees are mired in poverty as they are generally barred from working in their host countries. On October 1, 2007, news agencies reported that Syria reimposed restrictions on Iraqi refugees, as stated by a spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Under Syria's new rules, only Iraqi merchants, businessmen and university professors with visas acquired from Syrian embassies may enter Syria.
This is just to get you started on a better understanding of US attitude towards illegals, and the rest of the world. There are also nations where illegal imigration is punishable by death! So, I believe the US is *more* than *empathetic* towards it's illegal imigrants.
Sounds good to me! I am now on disability from a major car accident caused by an illegal alien. I was out if work for 2 years, lost my house, finally went back to work, but the injury is a life long one that will never heal. No compensation from him. Nothing. He had no insurance, but amazingly a license. I was stuck with all the medical bills. Thousands of dollars. And now 3 spine surgeries later, more medical bills.
there are many LEGAL out of work veterens that have risked their lives for us... that would take that job....should be theirs first. shame on u for hiring him instead!
I am curious as to how old he is, how old was he when he came here in 1963? There is a difference between those who come as adults and those who are brought here by their parents.
While his 'immigration" status is obviously in limbo that does not preclude working here legally. Immigration law is very complex and it is quite possible, even likely, that at one time he was cleared to work here and while he may not have a "social security number" he may have a foreign id number that is used for the purpose of payroll reporting. Very common, especially for foreign students. I suspect he was a student, remember that Obama's father earned a PhD at Harvard so it seems likely that if other family members were following a student status is very possible.
This could also explain the driver's license, originally obtained while here legally.
As has been pointed out all of this occured long before anyone had even heard of Barack Obama. the "name" is the reason this is even in the papers, thousands more similar stories every day across the country with no press coverage whatsoever.
It is worth noting that under the Amnesty Act passed by Ronald Reagan in 1986 he would have been eligible as he entered the country before 1982 and lived here continuously. Not sure why the 1992 deportation order, likely proper paperwork not filed. For those of you with short memories or shorter lifespans (meaning younger than me :) ) it was common practice for decades to ignore such orders as it was understood that they were "formalities" and rarely enforced unless you were a convicted criminal. This was a major contributor to the passing of the immigration reform under Reagan, reform that had the employer sanctions stripped out in order to ensure passage. Yup, didn't want to deprive business of their slave labor. This being Congress's decision, though ultimately Reagan signed it as they voted it without insisting the employer sanctions go back in.
And, for the record, the Obama adminstration has deported almost as many people (1.2 million) in the last three years as the Bush administration did in 8 years (1.57 million).
Peterson never misses a trick, does he? Get's himself a high-profile illegal immigrant working a job at a packy and it's off to the races. I bet the new Republican party folks of the Massachusetts Tea Party variety are making George their new BFF.
What does denying anyone a license have to do with immigration enforcement? (Answer: nothing) Let me make it simple: If you're here, I'd rather you be employed and somehow contributing to society than not. If you're here, I'd rather your kids were educated, fed and clothed than not. Once you get caught, hey, sorry buddy. You knew the drill when you got here. The INS will determine your fate.
But how does denying this guy, or any other guy, a hardship license actually make my world better? It doesn't.
But I bet it's awesome to put in a fund-raising letter. Right George?
Oh Ed...please...
How does it affect matters for the rest of us? Well, to begin with, in the simplest matter...with illegals, if the system worked right, they would be *caught* right then and there, when their paper work was reviewed for a license, etc...and they'd be sent packing. But, there's one of the first problems, the system is obviously flawed where a man, who obviously has not been following the correct proceedure for becoming a citizen...for years now...is granted a license, gets involved in an OUI accident causing injury (he's lucky he didn't kill the person...or maybe that wouldn't have made a difference either), gets his license revoked...then is granted a hardship license later on (oh, and to work at a liquor store!!).
While *illegal imigrants* are here, sneaking around *under the radar*...they are not *contributing* to society. They are actually taking up jobs, for one, where citizens who have all lawful rights to work here could really use, and are working at dirt cheap wages, which is a main enticement for those who are looking for *cheap workers* in this economy. They are also sucking up numerous other resources, which lawful citizens pay taxes towards (not to benefit those who are here illegaly), and causing the cost of such resources (programs, jobs, civil projects, etc) to go up considerably, as well...all the while, not *contributing* for their part, since they are illegally here, under the radar, and not paying taxes, etc.
So, keeping all of this the simplest possible...what exactly do you see as *contributions* from allowing illegal imigrants to participate as if they were legal, IE: Granting them licenses to get to and from their work...whether that be regular licenses, or hardship licenses...recieving financial assistance to put their children through our school systems, etc, etc, etc.
The true cost of it all...have a look at this article:
http://www.cis.org/node/54
There are pros and cons with the entire issue. In the end, though...the illegal imigrant *costs* us more than it is worth to grant them continued, unlawful use of the system (programs, licenses, jobs, etc).
So let me get this straight: LA has decided to not impound cars driven by people who are not supposed to be in the United States while doing so to people who are legally present in this country. Massachusetts has decided to grant drivers licenses to people who are illegally present in the United States. Now I don't know about you but this is a clear violation of Federal Law. So why are the feds not saying "You want to be a refuge for illegals? Fine, you get no federal highway funds, you get no grants for universities, you get nothing AND we are going to fine the state and every business until you start turning people in and exporting them."
As for Five Star Liquors, people should just stop going to the place to buy their alcohol. If a business is willing to violate a basic law of this nation then wouldn't they be more likely to violate other laws which effect their business even more so? What other laws are they violating? Tax laws, laws to enforce the proper sale of alcohol, laws dealing with the sale of consumables? Can we really trust a business that violates a very basic law of this country which says you must be a legal resident or citizen in order to work here?
My inquiry at the liquor store where Mr. Obama is allegedly employed informed me that he does not, nor has he ever worked in Grafton. He (allegedly) is employed by the owner of the liquor store - Conti Liquors of Framingham, who owns 3 stores. Two are in Framingham, and one here in Grafton. If Grafton had not been erroneously mentioned in the press, we would not be even having this conversation. How about the drunk driving illegal that tragically killed the young man in Milford? We should keep the immigration issues and the drunk driving issues separated, as both are complex and under the jurisdiction of many different government agencies.
The higher level problem to be addressed here is that of who has jurisdiction and authority to enforce our laws. Many professions and agencies have a legal mandate to report violations over which they have no legal authority. This also should be implemented for all law enforcement, DMV, INS, ICE, MA, and IRS employees; perhaps being a "mandated reporter" would bring some personal responsibility to the issue of enforcement, instead of an attitude of "it's not my job" or that's a different department's responsibility. Also, I learned that you do not have to be a citizen to get a number to use in lieu of a social security number for tax reporting purposes. The agency issuing these numbers has no immigration enforcement responsibilities. Their job is to collect taxes. It is the INS and ICE agencies who are supposed to enforce immigration laws. Our government is too disintegrated to manage anything appropriately, at the state or national level.
Lastly, President Obama's name has only been on the national radar for less than 5 years. So during that time period, the uncle would surely have been given special treatment NOT because the President asked for it, but because law enforcement would handle him with kid gloves as they do all other presumably "connected" individuals. But what explains the previous 44 years?? A system that encourages everyone to be concerned only with their own piece of the pie, and getting the biggest piece they can possibly get is the real root of the problem.
If he has never worked in Grafton, then I think we have a mis representation of facts on his application for hardship license, or perhpas on the letter from his employer.
This media outlet was not the first nor is tt the only one reporting that he worked in Grafton, I suspect that the application for hardship is where the Grafton employment originated. And if my suspicions are correct, then someone should be held accountable for the misinformation.
Deport him end of story
In a perverse effort to keep federal funds flowing, Massachusetts democrats bend over backwards to encourage illegal immigrants to maintain residence in Massachusetts.
Remarkably all these social costs born by the taxpayer, reverse feeds the democratic machine with police, teachers, social workers, correctional workers and a plethora of other state agencies all working together for their financial gain.
Oh come on now...this joke is getting a bit stale. Illegal alien for 49 years? INS couldn't find him for 20 years? Drunk driver working in a liquor store? Ran over a guy and he gets his license back? It IS a joke,isn't it? It has to be a joke. Please tell me it is a joke. Please. My government isn't this incompetent. The RMV isn't this out of touch. The Governor will surely step in, make the right decision, deport the guy, and we'll be done with it. Won't we? Please?
In an ideal world, yes, this case would truly be a joke. But, we live in Massachusetts, under a governor who is soft on illegal immigrants to begin with...we can only hope that this one case, at least, will be responded to by common sense, and not become a matter of *he's related to the president* or *Well, he's been here 49+ years, let's let it fly. (possible mindset of our governor).*
Has to be a sense of justice somewhere left in government.
I agree that drunk driving is awful and causes far too many tragedies. I agree that ICE should enforce deportation orders. I don't agree with making the RMV the gatekeeper of immigration status with license renewal. Illegal immigrants will keep driving but without a license, they won't have insurance. There seems to be enough of that problem already.
Gatekeeper of immigration status with license renewal?!?!?!?? He should never have received the license in the first place! He isn't in the country legally which means he shouldn't have had a license to begin with. So your logic is, they're going to break the law anyway so let's at least make sure they have insurance. Who's to say their purchasing insurance? I have a better solution, since they don't respect our laws and choose to be here illegally, let's just deport them and then we don't have to worry about getting into car accidents with them. But we can't do that because we all know "it isn't illegal to be illegal in Massachusetts".
Wouldn't have said it any better myself!
He should get deported yes, but don't say he got a job because of his name. He's been in the country almost fifty years. It's not like he just arrived. Nobody in Grafton knew who Obama was five years ago.
Life in the United States illegally for close to 49 years, get caught driving under the influence and receive a hard ship license ???? Am I wrong in saying the system is messed up ???
how in the world does he have a job. Guess its all in the name
how in the world does he have a job. Guess its all in the name
As they saying goes, it is not what you know but who you know. I would guess if there was anybody else they would be put on the first plane out of here !!
if he is illegal how in the world can he have a job. guess its all in the name
Way to go George!!! While you are at it send Cadillac a second letter asking him to review the way that public subsidized housing is dolled out too. Maybe ICE can put Aunt Touney on the same plane as Uncle Ony.
I wonder whose social security number he has been using?
A great and very important comment, teazle. Hmmm.... who's social security number is he using? Identity theft or did the agency actually issue him a number...
I appreciate your efforts to better protect the citizens of Grafton, George.
Thank you.