The Fattman Sings? Silence Undocumented Rape Victims? Don’t Let Rep. Ryan Fattman Get Away With It!

 
As reported on ImmigrationProf, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick recently announced that Massachusetts would not participate in the federal "Secure Communities" program.   Some Republican state representatives are trying to organize opposition to the governor's decision.

As reported by the Worcester Telegram-Gazette, Massachuetts State Rep. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton) accused the governor of siding with criminals instead of taxpayers.  Fattman is helping to circulate a letter opposing the Governor’s decision and says that he hopes to convince the Governor to reverse his decision.

Representative Fattman dismissed concerns of some law enforcement officials relied on by Governor Patrick who said using local police to enforce immigration laws could discourage reporting of crime by undocumented crime victims.  According to the news report,

"Asked if he would be concerned that a woman without legal immigration status was raped and beaten as she walked down the street might be afraid to report the crime to police, Mr. Fattman said he was not worried about those implications. `My thought is that if someone is here illegally, they should be afraid to come forward,' Mr. Fattman said. `If you do it the right way, you don’t have to be concerned about these things,” he said referring to obtaining legal immigration status."

A group which helps victims of rape and domestic violence has organized a petition on change.org asking for an apology from Representative Fattman.

KJ