Don’t waste time on immigration
Express-News Editorial Board
Published: 08:13 p.m., Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Immigration reform legislation should be left to federal lawmakers.

Members of the Texas Legislature have their work cut out for them as they convene in Austin this week with a huge budget shortfall hanging over their heads. They cannot afford to waste any time on immigration legislation.

Immigration is a federal issue, and it needs to be addressed soon. However, wasting the valuable time of the Legislature, which only meets in regular session for five months every two years, on this matter is not going to resolve the immigration problems facing this country.

There are already some 40 assorted immigration-related bills filed in Austin. Included among them is a bill mandating that school district officials determine students’ citizenship. Another would take away state funding from local entities that don’t enforce immigration laws.

Immigration is a hot-button issue that should not be allowed to divert state lawmakers’ attention from pressing matters that need their immediate attention such as public education, transportation and public health.

At a press conference in Austin last week, Bill Hammond, executive director of the Texas Association of Business, said immigration reform should come from Washington, and he is absolutely right.

“Most Republicans are favoring this type of legislation, and they are our traditional friends — that’s not a secret. It’s our hope they will ... slow down, take a hard look at the long-term impact on Texas before they enact this legislation,â€