Legislators share their thoughts on immigration at Brandeis event

By CHRISTIAN MAITRE
Waltham Times Contributing Writer

Legislators shared their concerns about the federal government’s actions involving immigration policy at a panel discussion at Brandeis University on Saturday.

Mayor Jeannette A. McCarthy, Democrat state Rep. Thomas Stanley, and Ward 7 Councilor Paul S. Katz shared the origins of their political careers and answered questions from students during a Q&A session.

One student asked the panelists if immigration policy has been discussed locally after President Donald Trump issued executive orders that expanded the federal government’s ability to detain individuals who are suspected of entering the country without legal permission.

Currently, police are required to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with serving criminal warrants for individuals who may not have legal immigration status. 

Stanley, who represents the 9th Middlesex District and is a Waltham city councilor, said he generally agrees with this provision if it helps remove violent criminals from the community.

“But our job isn’t to do the federal government’s job, and they screwed up the whole policy and left the financial burden to us,” he said.

McCarthy made similar comments.

“I’m just frustrated because we have all the burden, but we have the benefit as well because these people are working, but they’re afraid to go out at night because they don’t know what’s going to happen,” McCarthy said.

She added: “Waltham has been a city of immigrants, and we’re very proud of the generations that have come here, but I really feel that the federal government has to get their act together and stop this.”

McCarthy explained that Kate Peretz, the acting superintendent of Waltham Public Schools, revealed that some students are afraid to come to school fearing that ICE would detain them. As mayor, McCarthy serves as the city’s School Committee chairperson.

The city’s school system has addressed such concerns. Waltham Public Schools sent an email on Jan. 24 saying that ICE would not be allowed to disrupt school operations in any capacity. The email also said ICE agents could not gain access to school buildings without criminal warrants, and police would not be enforcing civil warrants.

Criminal warrants differ from civil warrants, as civil ICE warrants allow immigration officers to detain individuals who have allegedly entered the country without proper documents but do not allow them to enter private spaces or homes. Unlike criminal warrants, they are not signed by judges.

Reactions from students

The Feb. 1 event, “It’s Not About The President: Engaging in Local and State Government,” was organized by VoteDEIS and members of the Brandeis Student Union after students voiced interest in finding more ways to be civically involved following the presidential election in November.

Student leaders said they were energized by Saturday’s event.

“I’m very happy with the turnout,” said Rani Balakrishna, a Brandeis senior, president of the Student Union and a moderator at the event.

Juianha Falciglia-Mattes, a first-year student and another moderator, said the event gave her and other students insight on how to get involved in local politics.

Panelists also expressed satisfaction with the event.

Katz, who graduated from Brandeis in 1985, said he enjoys events like these where he can mentor people looking to start a career in government and can share his story on how he came into his role.

Stanley, too, praised the event.

“I was very happy with how it went. It was very honest, open and frank. These are conversations that need to be had locally,” he said.