By George P. Hassett

A local immigrant advocate blasted aldermen Thursday night, saying they switched positions on an immigration measure when it came up for a vote.

Aldermen sent a resolution that proclaimed support for the DREAM Act, being considered by Congress, to a sub-committee for further discussion. Patricia Montes, executive director of Somerville-based Centro Presente said, “[The aldermen] came to a community forum and said they were pleased with the amendment and they support it, but tonight we saw the real faces of the Somerville Board of Aldermen.”

Montes was referring to a forum Centro Presente organized this month to introduce elected officials and local immigrants.

The DREAM Act would provide a conditional path to citizenship for children of illegal immigrants, the resolution’s sponsor, Ward 6 Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz, said.

A similar resolution that proclaimed support for all immigrants regardless of documentation status was sent to committee in 2007 and never approved, despite being sponsored by nine of 11 aldermen at the time.

Ward 1 Alderman Bill Roche, who opposed the 2007 measure, said he was unsure if the recent resolution was relevant to Somerville. “Where it’s a federal policy and not a city ordinance, I’m not sure this board should take it on,” he said.

Alderman-at-Large Bill White supported the resolution being sent to committee but said aldermen should take it up soon. “If we have a vote to close debate, we’re cutting off an opportunity for our constituents to speak with us,” he said.

Gewirtz said she was disappointed a vote was delayed: “I wanted to see this passed tonight.”