I have no problem with people coming here legally and becoming citizens, but illegals are a different matter. I wonder how many are legal in this crowd?
Police address concerns of Brazilians on Cape
By PATRICK CASSIDY
STAFF WRITER
HYANNIS - So many people attended last night's meeting on strained relations between local Brazilians and law-enforcement officials that several hundred had to be turned away from the Cape Cod Community College forum.
Police and immigration lawyers responded to three hours of questions from an emotional audience.
''We realize that you are in a very difficult position because of the laws of this country, but we have to do our jobs,'' Barnstable Deputy Chief Craig Tamash said.
Tamash was among several officials invited to address concerns within the Cape Brazilian community that they are being targeted because of an alleged coffee tampering incident at a Hyannis Dunkin' Donuts in early February. Two Brazilian Dunkin' Donuts employees are accused of urinating and spitting in the coffee of police officers.
Since the Dunkin' Donuts incident, police have arrested a number of Brazilians for using fake driver's licenses. Agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement also have arrested several Brazilians on Cape Cod for immigration violations.
The police arrests were due to a recent flood of fake Brazilian licenses and not because of the Dunkin' Donuts incident, according to Barnstable police Lt. Paul MacDonald.
''We do not blame the Brazilian community for what two idiots did or tried to do,'' MacDonald said.
Tamash was equally reassuring. ''We know that the vast majority of the community want to do one thing - provide for your family,'' he said. ''And I wish I had a magic wand to give you all driver's licenses.''
Tamash's comment was one of several instances when the estimated 200 people inside the community college meeting room erupted into applause.
Attorney John Willshire Carreira of Greater Boston Legal Services suggested silence may at times be the best option for immigrants who are here illegally. ''You should not lie, but you have the right to be silent,'' Carreira said.
Immigrants also have the right to see a warrant before allowing anyone into their home, according to Carreira.
Carreira also warned that legislation proposed by U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter may make life more difficult for immigrants.
Police address concerns of Brazilians on Cape
By PATRICK CASSIDY
STAFF WRITER
HYANNIS - So many people attended last night's meeting on strained relations between local Brazilians and law-enforcement officials that several hundred had to be turned away from the Cape Cod Community College forum.
Police and immigration lawyers responded to three hours of questions from an emotional audience.
''We realize that you are in a very difficult position because of the laws of this country, but we have to do our jobs,'' Barnstable Deputy Chief Craig Tamash said.
Tamash was among several officials invited to address concerns within the Cape Brazilian community that they are being targeted because of an alleged coffee tampering incident at a Hyannis Dunkin' Donuts in early February. Two Brazilian Dunkin' Donuts employees are accused of urinating and spitting in the coffee of police officers.
Since the Dunkin' Donuts incident, police have arrested a number of Brazilians for using fake driver's licenses. Agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement also have arrested several Brazilians on Cape Cod for immigration violations.
The police arrests were due to a recent flood of fake Brazilian licenses and not because of the Dunkin' Donuts incident, according to Barnstable police Lt. Paul MacDonald.
''We do not blame the Brazilian community for what two idiots did or tried to do,'' MacDonald said.
Tamash was equally reassuring. ''We know that the vast majority of the community want to do one thing - provide for your family,'' he said. ''And I wish I had a magic wand to give you all driver's licenses.''
Tamash's comment was one of several instances when the estimated 200 people inside the community college meeting room erupted into applause.
Attorney John Willshire Carreira of Greater Boston Legal Services suggested silence may at times be the best option for immigrants who are here illegally. ''You should not lie, but you have the right to be silent,'' Carreira said.
Immigrants also have the right to see a warrant before allowing anyone into their home, according to Carreira.
Carreira also warned that legislation proposed by U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter may make life more difficult for immigrants.