http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/state/15383561.htm

Posted on Mon, Aug. 28, 2006


El Paso County commissioners support immigration reforms


Associated Press

EL PASO, Texas - The El Paso County Commissioners Court passed a resolution Monday calling for federal immigration reform that would allow a path to legalization for illegal immigrants.

The resolution was drafted by El Paso County Attorney Jose R. Rodriguez. The four-page document calls for federal immigration reform that does not "violate the human rights of immigrants, documented or undocumented."

The nonbinding resolution, approved by a 4 to 1 vote, included a clause aimed at ensuring that state resources not be used "to support policies and initiatives that tolerate or result in racial profiling." It also called for local law enforcement to "treat all immigrants with dignity and respect."

The El Paso County Sheriff's Office has been criticized this year by immigration reform supporters who have claimed that deputies were enforcing immigration law as part of a state-funded border-area security initiative. Sheriff Leo Samaniego has repeatedly denied that allegation.