Thread: 'Anti-immigration feeling' decried

'Anti-immigration feeling' decried
by Adriana Gómez Licón \ El Paso Times
Posted: 03/04/2011 12:00:00 AM MST


State Sen. José RodrÃ*guez, D-El Paso, told a Mexican business group Thursday that the anti-immigration climate in Austin leaves new immigrants such as them at a disadvantage.

La Red, a group of Mexican business people in El Paso, invited RodrÃ*guez to voice his concern over immigration bills that lawmakers have filed and that if passed would affect education, businesses and law enforcement.

"What all these bills have in common is the anti-immigration feeling in the state," he told members in Spanish. "I think some legislators fear the Latino community."

Several owners of Juárez businesses moving to El Paso said they have suffered extortions and kidnappings in Juárez.

Many business owners have dual nationalities because they were born in El Paso but raised in Juárez. Some recently moved to El Paso using border-crossing visas, or tourist visas. Others have found ways through investors' visas.

Many restaurants that were formerly in Juárez have opened on the East Side and along Mesa Street.

"It would be good if legislators appreciated these contributions," RodrÃ*guez said.

The reality in Austin is different.

Some bills filed in the 82nd Texas legislative session propose severe punishment for those who hire undocumented workers.

A controversial bill by Rep. Leo Berman, R-Tyler, challenges the 14th Amendment, which gives citizenship rights to anyone born in the U.S. Berman does not want Texas counties to issue birth certificates to children born to undocumented immigrants.

Other bills would require English to become an official language; would require public schools to detect and report children of undocumented immigrants; and would allow law enforcement to inquire about immigration status.

Another bill would prohibit undocumented immigrants from suing people who are in Texas legally.

RodrÃ*guez filed a bill that in most cases would prevent law enforcement officers from questioning the immigration status of a person at a crime scene.

RodrÃ*guez told the business group that the Texas Senate has 12 Democrats and 19 Republicans.

"If the 12 of us are united in these immigration issues, we can put a stop to these bills," he said.

Adriana Gómez Licón may be reached at agomez@elpasotimes.com; 546-6129.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_17535242

So this guy doesn't even have the respect to voice his concerns in English? And we're supposed to take him seriously?

I'm all for the bill that would prevent illegals from suing legal citizens. I have no idea why illegals are allowed to use our court system and sue to begin with!

hey Jose.

we know that you and other hispanic lawmakers are proud of your heritage. but please dont be afraid to tell the audience your speaking too the truth.
that all the legislation is about ILLEGAL immigration, not immigration as a whole because we welcome more legal immigrants each year than the rest of the world combined

La Red, a group of Mexican business people in El Paso, invited RodrÃ*guez to voice his concern over immigration bills that lawmakers have filed and that if passed would affect education, businesses and law enforcement.

"La Red?" Interesting name wouldn't you say. I wonder if it has anything to do with all those red flags these people have a penchant to wave during their May Day illegal invader/communist marches.