Thread: TX - House members from Mexico

House members from Mexico come down on different sides of sanctuary city debate

By Tim Eaton

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

5:25 a.m. Monday, April 11, 2011

State Reps. Jose Aliseda and Ana Hernandez Luna might have roots in the same south-of-the-border country, but their political views are a world apart.

Aliseda, R-Beeville, and Hernandez Luna, D-Houston, each were born in Mexico and moved to the United States as children. They became citizens and, hence, were able to be elected to the Texas House of Representatives. But their paths are as different as their political views — even on immigration, a topic the Legislature soon will tackle.

Aliseda, 54, a freshman lawmaker, said he's probably the most conservative of the handful of Hispanic Republicans in the House. And Hernandez Luna , 32, a House member since 2005, is one of the more liberal members. In two interest-group scorecards, she voted 100 percent with NARAL Pro-Choice Texas in 2009 and 20 percent with the conservative Texas Eagle Forum.

With a controversial bill barring so-called sanctuary cities in Texas coming up soon for floor debate, both lawmakers said they intend to be vocal on the measure, which would prevent police departments from having policies that prevent officers from inquiring about a person's immigration status.

"I think people need to hear it from the perspective of an immigrant," Aliseda said.

Hernandez Luna agrees and says she wants to put a face on the oft-maligned topic of immigration.

"I am able to understand what a lot of these immigrants are going through because my family went through it," she said.

The sanctuary cities bill — a priority for Republican Gov. Rick Perry — will be the first immigration-related bill to be debated this session. Some lawmakers have said it might be the only one — or at least one of a select few — to be brought to the floor this session, making it all the more important.

Party leaders on both sides said the Mexico-born lawmakers — among a handful of immigrants in the House — will make for a richer debate.

A Democratic Party leader, Rep. Jessica Farrar, D-Houston, said Hernandez Luna offers a unique perspective and is an example of the good that immigrants can do. "Her view on immigration is expansive," Farrar said.

The House's GOP caucus chair, Rep. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, said Aliseda demonstrates that not all Hispanics have the same philosophies on immigration.

"He has a perspective that he can bring that someone from a different race can't bring," Taylor added

Aliseda is the son of an anesthesiologist and came to the U.S. legally from Mexico City when he was 4 years old. His father had a skill that the hospital in Elgin, Ill., needed. Aliseda had to wait 13 years for citizenship, but he never had to live in fear of immigration agents. Through legal channels, he obtained residency and achieved citizenship at the age of 17.

The family lived on the outskirts of Chicago for much of Aliseda's early life. Eventually, they moved to McAllen, where Aliseda finished high school. He got an English degree at the University of Texas, followed by a law degree. He was an officer in the U.S. Navy, and later he became the county judge in Bee County and served on the state Board of Pardons and Paroles. He's now a general practice lawyer.

He said he sought a seat in the Legislature because his predecessor was too liberal.

And now that he's in the House, he said he'll cast an "aye" vote on the sanctuary cities bill because that's what his constituents would want.

His vote, he said, would serve to protect people legally in Texas, both citizens and immigrants — but also to fight illegal immigration.

He blames undocumented people for using state resources in hospitals, housing, schools and prisons. He acknowledged that many undocumented immigrants pay for some services through sales and property taxes but said if they are paid their wages under the table, then they don't pay federal taxes, much of which comes back to Texas.

Tighter control of immigration laws is vital, he said, to make sure the country's resources are not spread too thin.

"It won't be a wonderful place much longer because there is only so much to go around," he said.

The sanctuary cities bill should help, he said, "because you cannot have places in this state that allow illegal immigrants to live without fear of ever being asked if they are here legally."

Hernandez Luna takes the opposite view of the sanctuary cities bill, reflecting on a life that was much different than her former countrymate's.

Hernandez Luna's parents brought her, then an infant, and her older sister across the border from their home in the northern Mexican city of Reynosa in 1979.

"It was pretty much the four of us and a suitcase," she said.

They came on a visitor's visa. And when it expired, she said, the family stayed and lived for years in the shadows. Hernandez Luna said her mother was sometimes afraid of going to the grocery store for fear of an immigration bust.

They settled in Houston, living in one room at the home of one of her father's cousins. Her father labored nights at a warehouse, and her mother worked at a Western wear store. Later, the family also ran a Mexican restaurant on the weekends.

As a beneficiary of immigration reform in 1986, Hernandez Luna became a citizen at age 18 and then qualified for scholarship programs. She went to the University of Houston and later to the University of Texas for law school. While a student, she became an intern at the Legislature under a program by state Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston .

Now a civil practice lawyer, Hernandez Luna said she can see herself in some young immigrants, and she wants to use her office to help them.

"I see other Ana Hernandez Lunas out there, that given the opportunity to excel, I think they will," she said. "I think there are a lot of immigrants out there that are willing to work hard, know that there are sacrifices that need to be made, but need to be given an opportunity."

Hernandez Luna will be a "no" vote on the sanctuary cities bill. She said it would open the door to racial profiling and push more people into the shadows.

For all the political fighting between Democrats and Republicans over immigration, there is some common ground. And Hernandez Luna and Aliseda share some basic beliefs.

Most notably, they both said they have a concern for the people in Texas "living in the shadows," a term they both used.

Both lawmakers want the border secured, a job they agree should be shouldered by the federal government.

They part ways on what to do with the undocumented people already here. Hernandez Luna said she would like to see a workers permit program and a path to citizenship.

Aliseda said he could support a policy to help some law-abiding and assimilated undocumented people stay in the country, though he doesn't favor a blanket amnesty program.

"They need to respect this country and want to be Americans," he said.

But until the federal government can secure the border, the Republican-controlled House will take a swing at immigration-related lawmaking. And the House will take up the sanctuary cities bill, just as the governor wants.

It will pass, in all likelihood, along party lines.

And in the end, both Aliseda and Hernandez Luna will go home to their districts after the vote, and each will say they fought for their constituents and for Texas.

teaton@statesman.com; 474-2993

http://www.statesman.com/news/texas-pol ... ePage=true

Hernandez Luna's parents brought her, then an infant, and her older sister across the border from their home in the northern Mexican city of Reynosa in 1979.

"It was pretty much the four of us and a suitcase," she said.

And the suitcase was loaded with more than just clothes! Seems as though it was loaded with all of the psychological baggage as well!

quote(And the suitcase was loaded with more than just clothes! Seems as though it was loaded with all of the psychological baggage as well!)quote


Bingo, they come for the money,work, freedom but yet owe allegiance to Mexico and in the end will change America into Mexico then where will they go.

And in the end, both Aliseda and Hernandez Luna will go home to their districts after the vote, and each will say they fought for their constituents and for Texas.

Exactly who are the illegal alien lover Luna's "constituents", hmmm? Listen up honey, we want em DEPORTED!!! NO amnesty, No way, NO how, NEVER again...entiende?

Stop more from coming in and deport the ones here, NO excuses, NO exceptions!

Ana Hernandez Luna:
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/me ... strict=143

Jose Aliseda:
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/me ... istrict=35

And all the other Reps. in your districts:
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/

They always stand firm in their devotion to their homeland and it's people over the US and it's needs. Always.

And, I contend, that if you look deep enough into almost every Hispanic and South American background, what you will find is that they were illegal for a portion of their stay here, whether they become citizens or not. They come from a lawless, violent culture. They don't intend to follow our rules. Even the elected immigrants stand for the rights of their former country and it's citizens.

Originally Posted by laughinglynx

They always stand firm in their devotion to their homeland and it's people over the US and it's needs. Always.

And, I contend, that if you look deep enough into almost every Hispanic and South American background, what you will find is that they were illegal for a portion of their stay here, whether they become citizens or not. They come from a lawless, violent culture. They don't intend to follow our rules. Even the elected immigrants stand for the rights of their former country and it's citizens.

I know many will disagree with me here but I am in favor of a draft it would have a two fold effect slow the immigration numbers and less wars as the wealthy don't want there sons called up.

If you want to come here be prepared to serve.