Letter to the Editor

Protect Our Immigrant Neighbors, Friends, and Essential Workers

To the Editor,

Immigrants in Massachusetts have taken the hardest hit from the COVID – 19 pandemic. Many are deemed essential workers, cannot work remotely, and must take public transportation. They are resistant to accessing COVID testing and healthcare due to fear of detention, or worse, deportation. This is why I am supporting the passage of the Safe Communities Act, H. 3573.

Our state legislators must take the initiative to protect our immigrant neighbors, friends, and essential workers. We are all better off when parents don’t fear being torn from their children, and when all residents can seek medical attention and contact law enforcement for help without fear of deportation.

As a citizen, I expect Massachusetts elected officials to stand up to these indignities. Undocumented residents should not live in fear of their local police department and ICE. The police are responsible for protecting and assisting communities and should not be involved with immigration issues. This takes them away from their core mission. Instead of creating relationships with community members, it sows fear of the police.

It is time for the Massachusetts Legislature to take action and pass the Safe Communities Act, H. 3573. Time is of the essence, it is time for the our representatives to do the right thing.

Daniel Gorberg