Patrick: Sheriffs Seeking Immigration Reform "Grabbing Headlines"
BOSTON (CBS) - Gov. Deval Patrick said three sheriffs traveling to the nation's capitol are "grabbing headlines" in their effort for tougher immigration reform in the Bay State.
Patrick has made it clear in the past that the state will not enroll in the Secure Communities program when it goes into effect nationwide in 2013.
The sheriffs, who want tougher immigration reform, have taken the governor out of the equation by traveling to Washington, D.C. on their own to come up with their own plan, according to the Boston Herald.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kim Tunnicliffe reports.
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The sheriffs have reached a deal with federal officials to train county corrections officers to run those recently arrested through ICE databases.
Patrick said the state already sends the fingerprints of anyone arrested to the federal government.
"The only thing the sheriffs are doing that's different from what we do already is grabbing headlines, and they're entitled to do that. They didn't join Secure Communities because there's no Secure Communities program to join. God bless 'em. I'm glad they're complying with the rules and our policies," said Gov. Patrick.
