http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4120007.html

Aug. 16, 2006, 1:15AM
Camps dig in on illegal immigration
Advocates rally ahead of today's panel on 'criminal activity' on border



By ROSANNA RUIZ
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

A congressional hearing convening in Houston today promises to be as controversial as the topic of discussion: the impact of illegal immigration.

U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, says the hearing, "Criminal Activity and Violence along the Southern Border," will explore the "serious negative toll" of illegal immigration, including human smuggling, and drug and gang violence.

But immigrant rights advocates say the premise bears too negative a perspective and label the hearing an exclusionary "traveling road show" designed to confirm xenophobic fears. Protesters have pledged to pack the civil courthouse room where the hearing will be held, wearing T-shirts bearing pro-immigrant slogans. Others will rally on the steps outside.

The sparring began Tuesday when Mayor Bill White's advisory committee on immigrant and refugee affairs conducted its own hearing to offer perspectives that organizers said will not be included in today's hearing.

"I'm afraid all of the facts will not be exposed," said former Mayor Pro Tem Gordon Quan, a committee member.

The congressional hearings are "about opening the eyes of America of what toll illegal immigration has taken on our society," said Jack Hirschfield, a McCaul spokesman. "The crime of illegal immigration has taken a serious negative toll on society as a whole. Human smuggling, illegal drugs, gangs and violence on our border — all of that is in some way, shape or form related to illegal immigration."

McCaul is a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, and his district includes parts of west Harris County.

During today's hearing, the panel, which includes U.S. Reps. Ted Poe, R-Humble, and Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, will hear from city and county leaders, law enforcement officers and victims of crimes committed by illegal immigrants.

The hearings were set in June when House leaders decided to gauge public sentiment before the start of negotiations on a final immigration reform package. The Senate bill calls for a crackdown on illegal immigration, a guest-worker program and citizenship for most of the nation's 12 million illegal immigrants. The House version calls only for tighter immigration enforcement. Some have said a bill on the measure is unlikely to pass before the November elections.

Immigration advocates made clear Tuesday that they are in favor of reforms that do not punish hardworking immigrants.

During Tuesday's forum, panelists discussed law enforcement, health care, education and labor.

"The vast majority of immigrants are here without criminal backgrounds who want to work," said Joseph Vail, an associate clinical professor at the University of Houston's Law Center and a former immigration judge.

He said real reforms are needed so that police can go after real criminals.

"You don't find a needle in a haystack by making the haystack bigger," he said.

Another panelist, Dr. Lovell Jones, said immigrants are not to blame for today's health care crisis. He said the bulk of the nation's uninsured are Anglo. He blames the small-business owners who do not provide their employees with insurance.

"Immigrants are being used as scapegoats for the failures of this government to care for the well-being of its people," Jones said.

About 75 people, led by Jackson Lee and various religious leaders, held a prayer vigil Tuesday evening on the steps of City Hall.

The religious leaders — Jewish, Muslim and Catholic — joined forces to challenge congressional leaders to show moral courage.

Rabbi Shaul Osadchey, a community activist and founding rabbi of Congregation Or Ami, said compassion should be shown to immigrants and their plight because the country was founded and built by immigrants.

Nestor Rodriguez, chairman of the University of Houston sociology department and co-director of the university's Center for Immigration Research, said he fears the hearing will concentrate on the negative aspects of immigrant life. Rather than highlighting the positive contribution, he said the hearing has invited victims of crime and those who oppose immigration.

"I think people have already made up their minds. They want to hear from people who support their views," he said.

Reporter Armando Villafranca contributed to this story.

rosanna.ruiz@chron.com