Thread: Immigration Debate Comes To Houston

Immigration Debate Comes To Houston
Leticia Juarez KIAH
August 5, 2010

Phoenix and Houston is a tale of two cities with similar issues. Both states border Mexico and both have an illegal immigration problem.

"Illegal immigration is unacceptable," said Mark Spencer with the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association.

Spencer came to Houston at the invitation of the talk show host Michael Berry and the Houston Police Officer Union to discuss Arizona's highly controversial anti-illegal immigration law - a law he had a hand in.

One provision of Arizona's new law wants require residents to prove their legal status if asked by police. For now, a judge has blocked that portion of the law.

"We would welcome something similar to this bill that they have in Arizona," said Ray Hunt with the Houston Police Officers' Union.

Hunt believes Arizona's law is about getting criminals off the street and not about racial profiling as opponents of the legislation claim it is.

"We are not talking about rounding up people who are simply here illegal. We're talking about sending people back to the country where they came from when they are here illegally and committing crimes," said Hunt.

Crimes against officers like the 2006 killing of Houston Police Department veteran Rodney Johnson. Officer Johnson's killer, Juan Quintero, was in the country illegally.

This case like others, Hunt said highlights the federal government's failure to secure the border.

www.39online.com

Originally Posted by jean

"We would welcome something similar to this bill that they have in Arizona," said Ray Hunt with the Houston Police Officers' Union.

Hunt believes Arizona's law is about getting criminals off the street and not about racial profiling as opponents of the legislation claim it is.

Unfortunately Houston's new mayor and Police Cheif don't share the same views as Ray Hunt and the officers in the HPD Officer's Union.