The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

House of Representatives
State House, Boston, MA 02133-1054

BRADLEY H. JONES, JR.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE
MINORITY LEADER

20
TH
MIDDLESEX DISTRICT
READING NORTH READING
LYNNFIELD MIDDLETON
ROOM 124
TEL. (617) 722-2100
Bradley.Jones@MAHouse.gov


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Peter Lorenz
July 17, 2014 617-722-2100

House Minority Leader to Convene Summit Regarding Influx of Immigration Detainees
Public Safety, Local and Federal Officials to Join State Lawmakers at State House Meeting

BOSTON In response to continued reports surrounding the Commonwealths involvement with immigration
detainees being housed at facilities within Massachusetts, House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-
North Reading) will convene a summit at the State House with members of law enforcement, local and federal
officials, and state lawmakers to discuss this ongoing practice.

Unfortunately, we are seeing the effects of this national immigration crisis unfold here in the Commonwealth,
said State Representative Brad Jones. Now more than ever, it is imperative that we as public officials
determine the full ramifications that the lack of responsible federal action will mean for taxpayers, public safety,
public health, and any other state resources.

The debate surrounding the housing of immigration detainees in Massachusetts was sparked yet again this week
as the Obama Administration made a formal request of Governor Patrick that the Commonwealth look into the
feasibility of housing unaccompanied minors, who have entered the United States illegally, at facilities within
the Bay State. The request, which comes on the heels of numerous reports of the federal governments
transportation of illegal immigrants to two aviation facilities within Massachusetts, further exacerbates the need
for the gathering of officials.

The meeting, to be held at the State House, will bring together local and public safety officials who are directly
impacted by this ongoing surge of immigration detainees, with federal officials overseeing the movement of
those individuals who have entered the United States without proper permission or paperwork. With numerous
red flags having been raised over the past few weeks, lawmakers and local officials alike find it imperative that
basic questions regarding these ongoing practices be answered.

Im glad that Representative Jones is calling an Immigration Detainee Summit to make clear the need to deal
with the surge in immigration issues that require our attention, said Bristol County Sheriff Thomas M.
Hodgson.

The meeting, to be held on Thursday, July 24, 2014, will include Bristol County Sherriff Thomas Hodgson and
Lynn Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy. Lawmakers have contacted United States Immigration and Customs
Enforcement about sending a representative to the roundtable discussion.

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