Sen. Fattman Votes Against 'Sanctuary City' Amendment

In a late Wednesday night vote, the State Senate adopted an amendment in the state budget that would create a “sanctuary state” immigration policy, and State Senator Ryan Fattman, R-Sutton, voted against it, he announced on Friday.

The move to incorporate a substantial policy change in the budget, which would "effectively prohibit any communication between local public safety officials with federal immigration services," was not supported by. Fattman, who represents the Worcester and Norfolk districts. The district includes Mendon and Milford.

Fattman also filed a counter measure that would allow police to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, and detain illegal immigrants who commit heinous crimes, said the release.

“It’s common sense to give our police the tools to keep our communities safe and keep dangerous people off the streets, whether that person is here legally or not, no one is above the law," said Fattman in a statement. "My amendment isn’t targeting families or children who are here by circumstance, or fleeing their country of origin, we are talking about dangerous people who have committed serious crimes,” said Fattman.

Fattman said his amendment would reinstate policy that was adhered to by both republican and democrat administrations. The standard used for detaining someone was originally promulgated by the Obama Administration, he said.

“This isn’t new policy, and in fact had bipartisan support for many years until some felt compelled to make a political statement instead of trying to make substantive immigration reform for our state, to protect people and keep them safe,” said Fattman in a statement.

These guidelines were then followed by the former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, and continued by the Baker Administration until in a recent decision by the Supreme Judicial Court stated local police did not have the ability to lawfully detain someone without legislation. Fattman’s amendment would correct that decision, according to the announcement, and reinstate the originally policy that had been used over the past decade.

The amendment, which passed 25-13 with several democrats joining in the negative, now moves as part of the State Senate budget to be conferenced with the House of Representatives.

Photo via mass.gov