Thread: Leo Berman Re-Entering Immigration Battle In Texas

Leo Berman Re-Entering Immigration Battle In Texas
ROY MAYNARD

Appropriately, the first salvo will take place on San Jacinto Day.

On Monday, State Rep. Leo Berman hopes to begin a new "battle for Texas independence" when he appears before the House State Affairs Committee.

The Tyler Republican pledges to re-introduce the immigration reform bills he authored last session, despite opposition from Rep. David Swinford, R-Dumas. And he'll tell Swinford so Monday, when he testifies in Austin before Swinford's State Affairs Committee.

Swinford prevented those bills from emerging from committee in 2007, saying immigration is a federal matter.

Berman disagrees.

"According to the oath that we take at the beginning of every session, we are required to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and all laws of the United States and the state of Texas," Berman says. "It's our obligation to Texas taxpayers to do exactly that. In the case of illegal aliens, we can't depend on the United States Congress to do it for us."

That's why Berman will be reintroducing several measures aimed at curbing illegal immigration. Some will be modeled on efforts in neighboring states that have had some success, he says.

Oklahoma, for example, passed a sweeping immigration reform bill last year.

"But Oklahoma's success has created additional problems for Texas," Berman says. "Thousands of illegal aliens are moving south, across the Red River, into Texas. And a bill that passed in Arizona last year, making it almost impossible for illegal aliens to get a job in that state, has them moving back to Mexico, or east to Texas."

He contends that the number of illegal immigrants in Texas is nearing 2 million, due to reforms in those two states.

The measures he plans to author or co-author include:

Penalties for businesses that knowingly employ illegal immigrants.

A challenge to the concept of "birthright citizenship" for the children of illegal immigrants born in the United States.

Ending all public assistance benefits for illegal immigrants.

Empowering state and local police to enforce federal immigration laws.

Taxing the $6 billion per year sent to Mexico from Texas by illegal immigrants, and setting that money aside for indigent health care.

Preventing illegal immigrants from filing lawsuits.

Making English the official language of Texas.

Requiring photo IDs for voting.

The burden of illegal immigration on state, county and local budgets justifies the measures, Berman says.

"As of February 2008, there were 12,000 illegal aliens in the Texas prison system," he says. "There are many more in county and municipal jails, and illegal aliens make up the bulk of violent gangs in major cities across the United States and Texas. And across the state, school districts demand more money to build new schools at an enormous cost to home and other property owners. This works counter to our legislative effort to reduce school property taxes. Someone has to pay the bill."

Berman doesn't expect a warm reception from Swinford on Monday. Nor does he think his arguments will persuade the powerful committee chairman to support his legislation.

But he does have a new strategy for the upcoming 2009 Legislature. He'll bypass Swinford and State Affairs completely.

"We've already talked to House Speaker (Tom) Craddick, and if a bill has to do with repealing in-state tuition for illegal aliens, for example, then we'll send it to the Higher Education Committee," Berman says. "That way we'll get around Swinford."

Berman will appear before the State Affairs Committee in Austin at 1 p.m. Monday.

Early Returns is the political observations column of staff writer Roy Maynard, who can be reached at 903-596-6291 or at roymaynardtmt@gmail.com.
http://www.tylerpaper.com/article/20080 ... /804200311

Immigration is a federal issue. Wait for them to fix it. That's a good plan!

Just tell the states to do nothing! Then you can share all of the illegals that are leaving Arizona, Oklahoma and Georgia. The enablers can learn about drop houses, home invasion robberies, 8 hour waits in the ER and property taxes skyrocketing to provide services to illegal aliens who have no intention of abiding by the law or learning English. You too can have your trade wages locked in at 1985 rates. Face the fact, there are NO after school, summer, or entry level jobs for your teens because the illegals have taken them as careers for $8.00 per hour because they will live 20 to a 3 bedroom house and sponge off the liberal welfare and public benefits system that was designed for citizens in need. Be prepared for the illegals leaving states conducting immigration enforcement to find their way to your state so they can conduct their scams. Good luck with that "nothing will really work" attitude. If you wait for the feds, you'll all be overrun, taxed to death, poor and a number of you dead.

Congressman Joe Baca (D-CA) and the Hispanic Caucus are already trying to pass a bill right now in the U.S. House to give out "5 Year Amnesty Visas" to all of the illegals here (and I'm sure there is a loophole in it somewhere that includes dozens of their closest relatives). The pro-illegal politicians who won’t enforce the federal laws are doing this to stop states from enacting their own enforcement laws. Oh, they aren't telling you about that? What a suprise! Let me guess, they aren't telling you that they stripped the $1.4 Billion dollar funding from the Secure Fence Act of 2006 and Bush made a back room deal to GIVE the 1.4 BILLION DOLLARS as “foreign aidâ€

David Swinford

http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/di ... inford.htm
Email link on RIGHT

Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0470

Amarillo, TX 79101
District Phone: (806) 374-8787
---------------------------------------------------------

Leo berman home page
Email link on RIGHT
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist6/berman.htm

Capitol Office
(512) 463-0584

District Office
(903) 939-2400

Thanks for the info. I plan to contact all those listed. What happens in Texas or any other state effects all of us. We, in CA, don't stand a chance in hell of getting any kind of reform or relief to the illegal alien sitch, but that doesn't mean I intend to roll over and play dead !

the Amarillo number for Swinford has a full mailbox

Thank you for emailing the office of State Representative David Swinford. He serves House District 87 including Carson, Moore, Potter and Sherman counties and is also the chairman for the House Committee on State Affairs.

While your concerns are very important, please remember that many emails are received daily. If you would like to speak to a staffer about a specific concern please don't hesitate to call.

Have a wonderful day and God Bless Texas!


Capitol Office:
Allison Scott, Aaron Gibson
512-463-0470
512-463-8003 - fax
Capitol 4N.3
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, Texas 78768

Amarillo Office:
806-374-8787
806-374-0868 - fax
600 S. Tyler, Suite 1402
Amarillo, Texas 79101

Dumas Office:
Pearlie Wyrick
806-935-5445
806-935-5672 - fax
616 E. First Street
Dumas, Texas 79029