Texas Hispanic senators gearing up for bitter fight
Tuesday, May 17 2011


Hispanic lawmakers in the Texas Senate are bracing for a bitter fight over the so-called "sanctuary cities" bill.

The bill would give most police officers the right to question detained people about their immigration status and prohibit cities from adopting policies that ban the practice.

Supporters include Republican Gov. Rick Perry. They say it's needed to stop crime committed by illegal immigrants.

Critics say it would lead to racial profiling and allow police to harass Latinos.

A Senate hearing on the bill is scheduled Wednesday in the Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security.

Senate Hispanic lawmakers, all of them Democrats, predict that a floor vote sometime in the next few days could be one of the chamber's most divisive and emotional in recent memory.

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