If people are here legally. . .that is having entered the USA using proper channels and have their proper papers, why should they be worried? It is only people that have broken the laws that have a reason to be fearful of deportation. Just like others who have broken the laws whether it be drug dealers, theives, or white collar criminals, there are penalties for breaking the laws. It isn't just Hispanic people that are here without proper documents, there are other illegals too. While I am aware so many illegals come for a better life; however,I am sick and tired of the people screaming about illegals being picked on. Go back to your country and file papers and then come back. BUT meanwhile, let's give amnisty to the illegals (without criminal backgrounds, get them to learn English and continue to have jobs. . . .they also have to be committed to America and not sending their money back to another country which weakens us.

Having moved from RI to the Los Angeles area 15 yrs ago, I think I can offer a qualified opinion.

If you think RI has problems with illegal immigration, come to Los Angeles.

Ms. Martinez should tender her resignation. The Governor should be Cannonized.

I believe that any State Agency official who publically criticizes the Governor's Executive Order should be dismissed from his/her position.
In private industry you would be fired in a heartbeat. There is a time and place for workplace issues but the media is not the place for it.

THANK GOD someone said it!!! I think that Ms. Martinez's comments were right on the marker- Because of this order people will no longer be calling the police to report crimes, no longer trusting their neighbors and no longer trusting statewide organizations designed to help Rhode Islanders. Our State government has no buisness enforcing Federal Immigration policies and this, fundamentally racist, order is going to do more harm to Rhode Island than good!

I, FOR ONE, JUST DON'T GET IT WITH THESE PEOPLE - WHAT IS ABOUT THE TERM "ILLEGAL" THAT THEY DO NOT SEEM TO COMPREHEND. A PERSON HERE LEGALLY SHOULD BE GRANTED FULL PROTECTIONS UNDER THE LAW - BUT THAT INDIVIDUAL, FOR WHATEVER REASON, IS HERE ILLEGAL SHOULD NOT HAVE ACCESS TO ANY STATE, FEDERAL PROGRAMS OR HEALTH BENEFITS. I ESPECIALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND THE POSITION OF OUT ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT WANT TO PROTECT ILLEGALS - WHAT ABOUT THOSE TWO INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE ILLEGAL WORKING IN THE REGISTRY SELLING LICENSES AND NOW IN THE CUSTODY OF IMMIGRATION. DOES ANYONE THINIK AT THIS POINT THAT THEY WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS AND PAY THE PENALY FOR THEIR CRIME. WHAT REALLY FUSTRATES ME IS WHEN I HEAR THE COMMENT THAT ONE OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS IN THE REGISTRY WAS RUNNING FOR CITY COUNCIL WOMEN IN PROVIDENCE - HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE WHEN SHE COULD NOT EVEN VOTE.

I recently voted at your site on the question of whether or not the Govenor's order should be rescinded. I voted to rescind because of the climate of fear, potential police overaction(witness the events after the state police executed a simple search warrant), and potential divisiveness and arrousal of negative feelings. When I read the results of the survey and voter comments I was shocked. The VOTE WAS 9 TO 1 AGAINST RESCINDING AND THE VOTER's COMMENTS WERE SO EMOTIONAL AND NEGATIVE TOWARD ILLEGALS. I'm afraid that the Govenor has opened the Pandora's box of racial resentment, even hatred and ......
How can this possibly be stopped and set on a sensible course? Perhaps community and religious leaders can help undo the damage.
I wonder if the Govenor thought about the political boost he is receiving from his stand.

What part do you not understand they are here illegally and should not receive any assistance from us. Would we receive any if we illegally crossed their borders? Think not!!!! Wake up!!!

Simple solution, Governor C., TERMINATE THIS TRAITOR'S CONTRACT FORTHWITH !!!

Good... a climate of fear, perhaps the people crossing the borders illegally will soon start heading in the opposite direction!

So Neal is saying that the state of RI HAS knowingly hired undocumented workers and only now has realized that maybe that was a bad idea and the governor needs to make them stop the practice? What complete and utter nonsense all of this is! Does anyone believe that this executive order will actually change anything for the better? It can't, and it won't, but it has and it will make things a whole lot worse for a whole lot of people no matter what their immigration status may be. There are already a lot of stories circulating about people being harrassed at public places like the supermarket, so if you are Hispanic and a citizen of this country how are you expected to feel if you can not go get milk without the fear that someone might approach you with a demand for identification or proof of legal status? How many of you go out of your homes with your passports in hand? How many of you carry your Social Security cards with you despite the fact that we are always being warned NOT to do that because of the possibility of identity theft? A driver's license is not proof of citizenship, so if you are Hispanic and go to Price Rite and someone approaches you, what do you do or say or present to prove who you are when all you are doing is running an errand? Thanks Gov. Carcieri for solving all of the state's problems by telling us that the state has not been doing its duty to check the status of its own employees and prisioners so now we all need to be prepared to prove who we are when we are confronted by a state employee! GEEEEEEZZZZZ, can it get any crazier than that?

It should be obvious that the DCYF director either needs to resign or be fired if the Governor's order is going to have any meaning at DCYF. He should call for her resignation immediately. It is absurd to keep an appointee in charge who isn't committed to obeying the law.

Some of you do not know what you are talking about. You cannot just get a "green card" and come to the States, it's not that easy. People come to AMERICA to start a new life, GIVE THEM A CHANCE... everyone in this country is an immigrant from somewhere else.. if this country is so FREE...then why are we CHOOSING who and who cannot come here. Give me a break...

Ms. Martinez did the right thing in speaking up! Oh yeah, Lina, you say fire Ms. Martinez for freedom of speech!?!?! Geeeeezzzz..........now that doesn't sound very "AMERICAN" now does it! I am a very hard working Latin American, who believes that everyone should be hear legally. However........... with that being said, Mr. Governor, YOU in no way shape or form approached this issue the right way! A "real"leader meets with his community and makes a wise decision with the community! Absolutely, you have the last decision! but the communities' questions and concerns should have been heard, especially the community that is being targeted! I am not speaking about meeting with those that are undocumented. I am speaking about the citizens and human beings that placed you where you are! I dress and look very different when I am out running errands from when I am in my office. I would hate and would personally make it known publicly if I were ever to be asked for my legal status. It does not matter how it's asked, I would feel humiliated, disappointed and angry all at once. On another note, I have five family members in the Marines, Coast Guard and Air Force. Two of the Marines currently serving in IRAQ as we speak! Will the government now ask those before shipping to IRAQ there legal status, or do you feel "THEY" still have "THAT" right to defend us>? just some FOOD FOR THOUGHT!!! God bless you!!! Hey Lina should I get fired too!

I continually hear about this cutlure of fear that has been created by this executive order. Shouldn't people that are breaking the law be apprehensive about getting caught?
People in the Hispanic community are afraid...are those that are here illegally afraid enough to stop breaking the law and return to their country?
Ofcourse not - they're not THAT afraid.

I Support the Governor 100%. I feel sad that Ms. Martinez, who I previously admired, has taken this irresponsible stance. Moreover, she is using her publicly-funded position to advance her personal views and politics. While I'm certain she was feeling great pressure from her community and the poeple who run Progreso Latino (MANY of whom are her close relatives) leadership - and the public trust - dictate she remain neutral in terms of public debate. Shame on you Patricia Martinez. Was this worth the years of hard work to establish credibilty and respect, which you now forfeit?

Fire her. She's done a terrible job anyway and was only appointed as a conciliatory gesture towards the Hispanic community from Carcieri. NOT giving the order creates an atmosphere of fear amongst us taxpayers!! But that's right, taxpayers don't count, just illegal aliens?!?!?!

Funny. I don't feel afraid. Oh wait, I belong here. I didn't sneak across an internationally recognized border. Yeah, those people SHOULD be afraid. Their free ride is over.

ILLEGAL is illegal no matter what country you came from. If you did not due the paperwork and enter the USA legally, they you are here illegally and need to either get you status straightened out or go home to your native country. If you came to this country for a better life, then obey our laws,learn the language,assimilate into this mixed culture and don't try to make this the country you ran away from! That's what makes this country a better place to live than others. Illegal does not mean Hispanic, however with the hoopla going on and the noise and demonstrations coming from the Hispanic community who chant in SPANISH! it would seem to indicate that the majority of illegal aliens are Hispanic. The law covers any person who is here illegally, end of discussion.

First of all, the Executive Order is simply enforcing the laws that are already in existence and should have been enforced from the getgo. Also, if you are here legally, then you should have no problems, if not then that was the chance you took when you snuck into this country. Why is it that people cannot comprehend the meaning of the term "illegal" and continue to press to support these lawbreakers? No, it is not easy to get into this country legally, and it should not be. This country and the land can only support so many human benings and we are beginning to stretch it to its limit without adding millions of people who do not have the legal right to be here. We also need to protect the legal citizens of this state and country by knowing who is entering our borders, having background on legal and health issue available so that we are not brining in diseases and criminals that can affect the entire country. Please stop with the bleeding heart attitude - if you want to help them, then open up your home and use your dollars to do so, I do not wish for my tax dollars to support lawbreakers when it can be used to help those born on this soil or those who came here legally that need assistance.