Today Shawn Craig, Republican candidate for State Representative and Iraq war veteran, announced 6 initiatives he will pursue to stop illegal immigration in the Commonwealth.
As our next State Representative, Shawn Craig will do the following so Massachusetts is not a magnet state for illegal immigrants:
- Oppose all attempts to give drivers licenses to illegal immigrants
- Stop in-state tuition breaks for illegal immigrants
- Require verification of Social Security numbers at the time people apply for welfare benefits. Social Security numbers are required for welfare but they are not verified at the time of the application which allows for a three month loophole.
- Fully support secure communities and oppose legislation that exempt the state or communities from it. Secure Communities is an Obama program that deports illegal immigrants who have further broken our laws. There has been an effort to protect criminal illegal immigrants from deportation.
- Prohibit local aid to sanctuary cities.
- Require a verified Social Security number to get public housing assistance. The federal government requires Social Security numbers to get section 8 housing. Craig believes the same standard should apply to state housing assistance.
“I recognize that this is a federal problem but with illegal immigrants being imported into Massachusetts, I feel strongly that our state should not be a magnet state,” said Craig. “I have put my life on the line to defend our nation and it greatly concerns me that our borders have vanished.”
Craig is bothered that the House rejected an effort to grant veterans who move to Massachusetts in-state tuition breaks, but does give the benefit to illegal immigrants.
“I will stand up for fairness and the taxpayers,” said Craig. “I am releasing this plan so voters know where I stand on the issues.”
Illegal immigration is very costly for the taxpayers. MassHealth for illegal immigrants costs $93 million and the Health Safety Net costs $175 million. Estimates suggest that taxpayers are funding anywhere from $600 million to $1.8 billion for welfare for illegal immigrants.
UPTON DAILY 
He’s just parroting the same old specious right wing concerns: Illegals are ruining life for real Americans. The gubmint’s gonna take our guns.
Illegal immigrants make up about 2.4% of the state population and 3.7% of the labor force. Most migrants are coming here to work and support their families, not because of the benefits that Craig is trying to curtail.
How about raising the minimum wage? Or more aggressive penalties against employers who exploit illegals?
As for benefits, it cuts both ways. Illegals often pay into the system but don’t get much back. Everyone pays sales taxes. Many illegals pay income and social security taxes but will never get a refund or collect benefits.
And which do you prefer: an illegal immigrant with a driving license (and the training needed to get one) or one with no license and less training?
A century ago anti-immigrant (and catholic) types were (quite literally) marching around in white cloaks in Upton. Those are your intellectual ancestors Craig…..