Letter to Governor Patrick Regarding Flights with Immigration Detainees Arriving at Massachusetts Airports

His Excellency Deval L. Patrick, Governor
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
State House, Room 105
Boston, MA 02133

Dear Governor Patrick:

On behalf of the Republican Caucus, I write you today as the result of numerous media reports surrounding the Commonwealth’s involvement with the federal government in the transportation of illegal immigrants to two aviation facilities within Massachusetts – Hanscom Air Force Base and Logan International Airport.

As reported over the past few weeks, and confirmed by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, flights with immigration detainees are arriving at airports within Massachusetts and the individuals aboard are then being transferred to Department of Homeland Security facilities. This raises numerous red flags, and it is imperative that basic questions regarding this ongoing practice be answered. When we are able to provide the residents and taxpayers of the Commonwealth with responses to the following questions, we as lawmakers will be better suited to determine how best to proceed.

• To what extent, if any, did your administration have prior knowledge of the practice of immigration detainees being flown to Massachusetts and then transferred to Department of Homeland Security facilities?

• For how long has the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement been arranging the transfer of detainees to Massachusetts?

• What information, if any, does your administration have on the parameters of the program and the potential impacts it may have on the cost and delivery of services through the myriad of programs that comprise the Commonwealth’s safety net?

• Does the Commonwealth have any oversight of this ongoing practice?

• What, if any, state resources are being utilized to support this program, and if any, at what cost to the taxpayers of the Commonwealth?

• After being transferred to Department of Homeland Security facilities, are the immigration detainees remanded to the custody of the federal government, or are they released pending their deportation hearing?

I would be happy to meet with you to discuss this issue in greater detail, and I look forward to your timely attention to this extremely pressing issue.

Sincerely,

Bradley H. Jones, Jr.
House Minority Leader

House Minority Leader Brad Jones’ Statement on Ruling of Supreme Judicial Court Regarding Parole Supervision for Sex Offenders

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) issued the following statement today in response to the ruling by the Supreme Judicial Court pertaining to community parole supervision for life for sex offenders:

“With today’s ruling, the Supreme Judicial Court has found the current structure of community parole supervision for life for sex offenders to be unconstitutional. While holding the current method to be unconstitutional, the Court left the door open for a legislative solution. 

The decision presents a real public safety concern that needs to be addressed through swift and decisive action by the Legislature. It is my intention to file legislation to effectively carry-out the purpose of the original statute within the framework of the Constitution.”

70th Anniversary of D-Day

On this, the 70th anniversary of the Allied forces storming the beaches of Normandy, we wish to remember all of the brave soldiers who lost their lives fighting to ensure the freedoms of others.

June 6, 1944 is a day that will not soon be forgotten. The military engagement that occurred on this day has long been considered the turning point of World War II in the European theater. Soon after the landing in Normandy, troops left France and continued on through Europe and into Germany. The United States military liberated millions while toppling the Nazi regime. Currently, there are more veterans of the historic D-Day invasion than any other engagement in WWII.

Today, and every other day, we wish to remember the sacrifices and the commitment of the men and women who have served, and continue to serve in the United States Armed Forces.