Thread: Immigration is Hot-Ticket Item for Texas Legislature

Immigration is hot-ticket item for Texas Legislature

08:19 AM CST on Monday, February 16, 2009
By MARCUS FUNK / The Dallas Morning News
mfunk@dallasnews.com

AUSTIN – Rep. Jim Jackson of Dallas wants to declare English the official language of Texas and require all government employees – from high-ranking officers to park rangers – to prove citizenship or legal residency.

To Jackson, a Republican, it makes perfect sense: "If you're going to have a law, then the first people that ought to obey the law is government."

And he's not alone.

So far, 35 bills aimed at illegal immigrants have been filed in the Legislature. Lawmakers say that for most, the future is uncertain at best. But because they are poised to stir passions, the bills serve as a distraction from traditional fiscal priorities – just as they did two years ago.

"We need to be focused on what is absolutely appropriate for our state and on real problems, rather than divisive issues," said Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio. "I want to be worried about the guy that's trying to sell my daughter drugs, not the lady that wants to clean my daughter's house. There's a big difference."

Most opponents also point out that immigration is a federal issue, and most legislators say Congress should handle it – Texas has a budget to pass, jobs to create and public schools to monitor, all in less than five months.

Many of this year's bills are unsuccessful repeats from the last session, when only three immigration bills – out of 72 – ultimately passed. Supporters acknowledge that most were kept at arm's length even by devout conservatives such as former House Speaker Tom Craddick, R-Midland, who felt they belonged in Congress. And the measures face even longer odds under a moderate speaker and a House that is almost evenly divided now among Republicans and Democrats.

"These bills are largely filed by a handful of legislators appealing to an extreme constituency that is a small but vocal minority," said Luis Figueroa, legislative staff attorney for the Mexican American Legal and Educational Defense Fund. "They file a lot of bills, but not many of them move very far."

But bipartisan proponents say they hope state action will spark greater federal efforts.

"We can't just sit back and say, 'Well, it's the federal government's business,' and hope that someday they will step up and help us out," said Rep. Betty Brown, R-Terrell. "We have to do the best we can to try to get our border under control, or at least protect our citizens."

But even the GOP is divided. While some Republicans embrace strong immigration enforcement, others worry about opposition from the pro-business groups that have traditionally been their backers. Others still are influenced by demographic shifts. Hispanics are the fastest-growing ethnic group in Texas, and lawmakers such as Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, say many feel the rhetoric has become anti-Hispanic.

That could push the issue further to the sidelines in Austin and generate difficulties for Republicans juggling a passionate base and an increasingly diverse electorate. Such fears have caused one Republican, Rep. Leo Berman of Tyler, to consider running for governor to "force" a public immigration debate.

Like-minded conservatives also dispute the allegations of racism. They argue that many Hispanics vote for Republicans promising fair wages and safe borders, and that national security is a universal concern. "I think if we handle it properly, I'm not sure we should have that much to argue over," Jackson said. "I think most Hispanics want to follow the law, and I think we're OK when we don't make it about race and heritage. It shouldn't be, on either side."

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent ... c58ff.html

the bills serve as a distraction from traditional fiscal priorities

Mmmm, we might want to step back and take a look at California and reasses what constitutes our fiscal priorities before we have the same budget shortfalls that they do. After the Obamanation that has taken over the federal government will have spent the country into such a deep abyss that Texas will not be able to receive a bailout.....

Let me ask ya somethin' Texas ... How's the Illegal Alien Invasion work'n for Ya?

If ya answer It ain't good or something related.... get your politicians working or boot them out of office with your vote or recall them