(Editor's note: The following information was provided by the office of state Re. Paul Adams.)

Earlier this week, State Reps. Paul Adams (R-Andover) and Jim Lyons (R-Andover) joined House and Senate legislative leaders and County Sheriffs throughout Massachusetts in support of sweeping immigration reforms.

The bipartisan coalition reaffirmed their support for the federal Secure Communities program, which would allow for greater information-sharing amongst state law enforcement and the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE).

“Participation in Secure Communities will help save lives and remove violent, criminal illegal immigrants from our nation,” Adams said. “We need it now more than ever.”

Adams and Lyons also announced their support for An Act to Enhance Community Safety, sponsored by Senator Richard Moore (D-Uxbridge), which would fill gaps in federal responsibility over immigration policy. Sen. Moore’s proposed legislation aims to toughen penalties on those who deliberately break the law by targeting pervasive abuses of the law. This bill would:

• toughen penalties for driving without a license
• increase fines for the creation of use of false identification; and
• ensure state-subsidized housing is reserved for legal residents only
• identify employers who deliberately hire unauthorized workers

Adams and Lyons were joined by House and Senate leaders, Sheriffs from Bristol, Essex, Plymouth and Worcester Counties.