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Brown: Coakley Shouldn't Shield Illegal Immigrants

In a direct attack on his Democratic opponent in the U.S. Senate race, Republican state Sen. Scott Brown has filed a bill that would require proof of citizenship or legal residency for people seeking action against employers for violating the state's wage laws.

As attorney general, Martha Coakley has aggressively enforced laws protecting workers' wages. Before the campaign, her office often announced settlements with companies she sued for allegedly violating prevailing wage laws or avoiding payroll taxes. Coakley represented everyone, including illegal immigrants.

Her opponent, Scott Brown, said that encourages people who are here illegally.

"As a top law enforcement official, her No. 1 job is to enforce the laws of the state and to protect citizens here legally and the people who are here with the appropriate immigration status," Brown said during a telephone interview.

Coakley's campaign said she has "fought to level the playing field" by holding companies accountable when they "seek to gain an unfair advantage by violating wage laws."

This program aired on January 7, 2010. The audio for this program is not available.

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