Oblates work with Immigrants in Western Massachusetts

February 8th, 2007

Padre Daniel Meehan, OMI worked in Brazil for more than 40 years. He is temporarily in Western Massachusetts, working in that area with immigrant workers, particularly Brazilians.

Immigrants Day, an annual event for immigrants held in Pittsfield, MA, was described in an article published in The Berkshire Eagle, a local paper. [see below] Fr. Meehan has also sent us his comments on the current situation:

“I participated in the event described in this article [below]. The fundamental issue now is the question of having a Massachusetts driver’s license. The state police assigned to Lee and Lenox have been persecuting the emigrants and inventing traffic violations – one Brazilian was cited for having a dirty license plate- a stupid accusation as the roads have been covered with slush and salt since the big blizzard of Valentine’s Day. Even though the state police do not have authority to question their immigration status they call on the immigration homeland security police to make the arrest which means being sent to Hartford, CT for deportation. At least 6 Hispanics and 4 Brazilians have been deported since Jan. 1st. ”

“The presence of Anjali S. Walker of American Civil Liberties Union in Boston (ACLU ) at this event offered hope to all. ”

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“The 11th annual IMMIGRANTS DAY at the Boston State House will take place on the Thursday after Easter (April 12th).”

Immigrants seek out advice, tips

Annual event draws crowd of 250

By Jack Dew, Berkshire Eagle Staff
Berkshire Eagle

Sunday, March 04

PITTSFIELD – About a dozen people – mostly Spanish-speaking – crowded the narrow hallway at the entrance to the First Baptist Church.

While a crowd of roughly 250 people filled the auditorium and watched an Asian dance company perform, this dozen waited for a chance to speak with a lawyer and discuss some of the difficult and delicate decisions that they face as immigrants.

The fourth annual Immigrants’ Day filled the church yesterday, with hundreds of people gathering to celebrate the diversity of their backgrounds and to get some practical advice on life – often undocumented – in the United States.

“The main goal is really to give our local immigrants and refugees a voice, to come out and say, ‘We are here. We live in the Berkshires,’ ” said Hilary Greene, co-director of the Berkshire Immigrant Center, which organized the event. “And also to educate them about issues that directly impact them.”

An attorney from the American Civil Liberties Union addressed the crowd, explaining through a Spanish translator what to do if stopped by the police. She warned that some officers have been seizing foreign drivers’ licenses, an unconstitutional seizure.

Afterwards, she met one-on-one to gather stories of people illegally denied a drivers’ license or mistreated by authorities.

Meanwhile, a tax professional from H&R Block gave income tax advice. Though many of the immigrants are undocumented, the government still requires that they pay taxes; failing to do so now could hurt their chances of gaining citizenship later.

“If they want to become legalized residents, that is one of the things that Homeland Security looks at,” said Pat Casella, a tax professional from H&R Block’s South Street office. “And the IRS just wants to collect its money.”

This year was the biggest turnout in the event’s four-year history. Greene said she was not surprised, since the number of people they serve has continued to rise.

Also, there was an effort to make Immigrants’ Day more than just a law and tax clinic. There were more dancers and musicians, and an array of food that represented the immigrants’ backgrounds.

“This year, we added more entertainment, we really wanted to make it more festive,” Greene said.

Jack Dew can be reached at jdew@berkshireeagle.com or at (413) 496-6241.

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