Ex-Hispanic advisers denounce Carcieri

PROVIDENCE -- Eight people who resigned from Gov. Don Carcieri's Commission on Hispanic Affairs have denounced Carcieri and his executive order cracking down on illegal immigrants.

The eight commissioners quit Thursday and held a news conference Friday.

An executive order that Carcieri signed in March requires state police and prison officials to identify illegal immigrants for possible deportation. It also requires the executive branch to use a federal database to verify the immigration status of new hires.

Former commissioner Juan Garcia called the order "social genocide." He said it will increase racial profiling of Hispanics by police and discourage illegal immigrants from contacting authorities in an emergency.

Carcieri says illegal immigrants should not be in Rhode Island and are costing the government money. He has said he will not rescind the order.