SANDWICH, Mass. -- Selectmen from a Cape Cod town have decided to make the hiring of illegal immigrants a punishable offense.

NewsCenter 5's Amalia Barreda reported Monday that unlike many communities on the Cape, Sandwich has few immigrants and many residents question the selectmen's priorities.

In a move to protect what one official called its very existence, the board of selectmen recently unanimously approved a motion declaring the town not be a sanctuary for illegal aliens.

The resolution, which must be approved at a town meeting in the fall, also proposes to fine businesses $1,000 for each illegal alien that they hire.

"What are we going to do? Have a hunt? If you have someone, like me or my wife, pay a $1,000 fine, we'd be out of business," locksmith Jim Arnold said.

"I've been in the town a long time, and I have not seen any illegals around. I think they have a lot more to do in this town than to (look) for that," business owner Heidi Arnold said.

"It is an issue here. If it's not an issue today, it's going to be an issue. The message that we would like to send is this: We don't welcome businesses that hire illegal immigrants. It's illegal. Simple. And it does affect the local community," Board of Selectmen Chairman Randy Hunt said.

Hunt said it affects the local community because people who hire illegals avoid paying things such as workers compensation. He said that makes it very difficult for legitimate businesses to compete.

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