Politics

Immigrants Gather At State House On Tuesday

BOSTON (CBS4) ― Hundreds of immigrants gathered at the state house on Tuesday to show support for a political agenda that includes in-state tuition breaks for the children of illegal aliens and a freeze on tax cuts.

All the candidates for governor were invited, but who showed and who didn't tells you plenty about what a hot-potato these issues have become.

On one side of the issue, republicans like Governor Mitt Romney and his preferred successor, Lieutenant Governor Haley.

On the other side, local immigrants who came to Beacon Hill to flex their political muscles and hear candidates for statewide office court their support.

Andrea Silbert was one of three democratic candidates for lieutenant governor who spoke, but the crowd's favorite tune came from the only major-party candidate for governor to show up -- democrat Deval Patrick. "Not rolling back the income tax further, it is a fiscally irresponsible idea," said Patrick. "And yes, we will have in-state tuition for undocumented aliens when I am governor."

Patrick's rival, Tom Reilly, also backs the in-state tuition break, but he supports the tax rollback. His failure to attend didn't sit well with this immigrant activist.

But with immigration issues sparking controversy everywhere, tricky political math confronts the Patrick campaign: is his support for the immigrant agenda worth the political risk?

"I think there was a lot of backlash for a lot of elected officials about the issue regarding tuition. I think people are still feeling that, so they're approaching these issues very, very cautiously," said Sen. Bruce Tarr of Gloucester.

For the record, Healey and independent candidate Christy Mihos both oppose the in-state tuition break, and whatever happens in Washington, it appears that the issues surrounding immigration are going to stay hot and play a major role in determining who the next governor of Massachusetts will be.

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