Thread: Senators want oversight of border law enforcement

http://www.news8austin.com/content/your ... rID=176505

Senators want oversight of border law enforcement
12/15/2006 10:56 AM
By: Associated Press

A pair of Democratic Texas state senators want legislation to provide more oversight and restrictions to border-area law enforcement agencies.

Sen. Eliot Shapleigh of El Paso and Sen. Juan “Chuy'' Hinojosa of McAllen filed three immigration and security bills on Thursday. One would require stricter oversight of agencies receiving public money for border security operations.

It would require enforcement reports to the Department of Public Safety from border law enforcement agencies that receive grant money to combat drug trafficking, organized crime and other border-related crime.

The other two bills would prohibit emergency responders and local law enforcement from asking for a person's immigration status and bar law enforcement from detaining a person based only on immigration status.

Several anti-immigration bills have been introduced by Republicans in the state House of Representatives. One of those proposals would challenge the automatic citizenship of children born to illegal immigrants by denying them access to some public benefits.

Another proposal would exclude illegal immigrants from receiving in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities. It also would tax money sent to Mexico, Central and South America.

The other two bills would prohibit emergency responders and local law enforcement from asking for a person's immigration status and bar law enforcement from detaining a person based only on immigration status.

You've got to be kidding me. Local law enforcement is paid to protect and serve. Why shouldn't part of that protection include protecting American citizens from illegal immigrants that may wish them direct and indirect harm. IMHO, there is no better protection than removal through deportation. I've always been a firm believer in being pro-active, not reactive! Regardless of the classification of the crime, illegal immigration is a crime and needs to be treated as such.

Originally Posted by MW

The other two bills would prohibit emergency responders and local law enforcement from asking for a person's immigration status and bar law enforcement from detaining a person based only on immigration status.

You've got to be kidding me. Local law enforcement is paid to protect and serve. Why shouldn't part of that protection include protecting American citizens from illegal immigrants that may wish them direct and indirect harm. IMHO, there is no better protection than removal through deportation. I've always been a firm believer in being pro-active, not reactive! Regardless of the classification of the crime, illegal immigration is a crime and needs to be treated as such.

I sure hope the TX members of this site, call email and write these guys.

Does the term "enemies of the state" apply here?