BOSTON, Jan. 12 (UPI) -- Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick has reversed an order by his predecessor that authorizes state police to arrest illegal aliens.
The action was one of Patrick's first after taking office, the Boston Herald reported. Patrick, a Democrat, succeeded Republican Mitt Romney this week.
Patrick said he would allow corrections officials to arrange deportation proceedings for illegal aliens convicted of crimes.
"This doesn't have anything to do with encouraging people to continue to break the law," Patrick said. "It has to do with focusing the energies of our own agencies on their core missions."
Col. Mark Delaney, head of the state police, supported Patrick. He said immigrants would be afraid to approach state police if they become enforcers of immigration policy, interfering with the force's ability to investigate urban gangs and drug trafficking.
But advocates for strict border control disagreed.
"It's the type of mentality that says, 'Don't worry if you're here illegally, you won't have a problem with state authorities," said Jack
Martin of the Federation for American Immigration Reform.
