Do these non-citizens require handouts? The survey did not ask if they were legal or illegal residents...For example, US permanent residents(Green Cards) are not citizens but are required to pay taxes, can legally work at most jobs, buy property, and are bound by all US laws. I am not sure I am with you on the assumption that non-citizens inhabitants of Malden require handouts. This is also true of students on H1B Visas.

As a citizen, I know many non-citizens who do their fair share of contributing to our society. I can think of at least a few non-citizens in my own life who are Software Engineers, and even a British doctor who's lived in the US for over twenty years.

If they are "illegal non-citizens" then I am all for making sure my tax dollars don't go to making Malden an easy place to break federal law. That survey page is almost useless as it does openly point to a real issue or purposely skirts it to get a rise out of people. Is Malden harboring illegal immigrants? If so, what steps can the city take to change that?(Immigration is under federal jurisdiction)

Under Operating and Maintenance: Line 814 in the School budget is Athletic Uniforms...Sounds like if the team is in need of uniforms, it is funded and they should get them. Granted there is probably a treasure trove of rules, regulations and prioritizing within the schools athletic program on when to change the uniforms. Maybe someone there might be able to tell you when they can change them.

iCitizen, John's comment was made in jest. Malden High does not have an ice hockey program.

HAHA...I just moved to Malden...stupid me trying to help. Thanks Danny.

Manny, My child goes to Malden High and there are A LOT of great kids that go to that school, documented and undocumented. Many of those kids would love to play on a hockey team. How long has it been since you stepped foot in the school (or have you ever)? Mr. Brown does a great job at the school.

it sounds so clean when you say "undocumented". There are legal non-citizens and illegal aliens. It is a fact that the illegal aliens ARE more likely to commit other crimes, other than illegally entering the country. They also burden states economically as they are more likely to not pay income taxes, but still use all city services.

What American citizens making those kind of wages would pay income tax? A lot of them actually pay into social security and, according to a report I read in the LA Times a few years ago, use about 50% of the services (police, etc.) Americans do - normally because they are afraid of being deported. You'll have to show me documentation they are somehow more likely to commit other crimes because that is quite a claim.

There are bad apples in every group; the vast majority of undocumented laborers are just here to find jobs. We need immigration reform at the federal level; I don't think bashing these people for trying to pull their families out of really desperate situations is productive.

/soapbox

Manny: not to sound pro-Christenson, but from what I see and hear, our new mayor has done more, in his first six months of office, to reach out to the community and sollicit public feedback, than the previous administration did in all the past sixteen years. He's trying to address issues that have festered from years of neglect under former mayor Howard, and it's going to take time to turn things around.

So is a jaywalker or a litterer. You can't conflate undocumented immigrants with violent criminals.

I'd say 'an illegal' is a way of demonizing undocumented immigrants.

Chris, "demonizing undocumented immigrants"? I don't usually debate on here but they are in fact "ILLEGAL". They have broken the law already just by being here.... I have absolutely no ill will toward immigrants. My grandparents were - but legally. I love the analogy - would you call drug dealers "undocumented pharmacists"? One sells Oxy legally, one sells Oxy illegally. Laws aren't subjective, Chris.

They are also, 'in fact', undocumented migrants. They dont seem to terrify me as much as some of the people on this board. Comparing them to drug dealers or gang bangers is just pretty stupid, I'm sorry.

If you really care about my views or why I choose to call them undocumented as opposed to "illegals," send me an email.

So I guess we should start calling drunk drivers "buzzed" instead, so that their feelings dont get hurt.

Haha. It's not about their feelings...

Where do you get that figure?

From what I understand there should be no increase in taxes under the mayor's proposed budget.