Thread: TX Immigration bills unlikely to get passed

Immigration bills unlikely to get passed
March 26, 2007, 12:28AM


By CLAY ROBISON
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

AUSTIN — From one political perspective, illegal immigration is no less an emotional issue with many legislators now than it was during last year's elections, when the "Great Wall of Texas" was being promoted by some Republicans as a solution to all of society's problems, large and small.

Indeed, several dozen bills to impose an assortment of sanctions or restrictions on illegal immigrants have been filed this session.

But very few are likely to pass because, with the elections safely past, the emotionalism is being buffered by stronger political realities on the part of Republican legislative leaders.

For starters, immigration policy is a responsibility of the federal government and, despite Washington's failures, the Texas Legislature would be wasting time enacting laws that are going to be struck down by the courts.

And lawmakers are hearing from influential business people in their districts who value the strong contributions that immigrants (both legal and illegal) make to the Texas economy and to their own businesses.

The business people want a sound federal immigration policy, including a workable guest worker program. Until that happens, they don't want the Legislature deporting or scaring off their labor pool.

The message isn't lost on Rep. David Swinford, R-Dumas, who is the chairman of the House State Affairs Committee, which will decide the fate of most of the immigration-related bills.

Although Speaker Tom Craddick stacked the panel with conservative Republicans, starting with Swinford, the chairman predicted that most of the legislation will die or be neutered.

So far, he said, the only immigration-related measures likely to win the panel's approval will be a resolution condemning the federal government for making a mess of immigration policy and a bill, sought by Gov. Rick Perry, to allocate about $100 million for increased border security.

Most other bills — including legislation to deny education, health care and other public benefits to the Texas-born children of illegal immigrants — either violate the U.S. Constitution, federal law or a court order, Swinford said.

And he doesn't think much of several bills that would impose a "remittance fee" on money that immigrants wire home.

"These are symbolic drive-by shootings" at an issue that requires a much more complicated solution at the federal level, he said.

Swinford's Panhandle district is several hundred miles from the Mexican border, but employers in his district, including agricultural producers and a meat processing plant, hire many immigrants.

"David understands his own district and its needs," said Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, chairman of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus, which has formed an unusual alliance with the Texas Association of Business to fight the anti-immigration legislation.

"His crops have to get picked. Agriculture is one of the primary beneficiaries of immigrant labor," Gallego said.

Swinford's committee will meet Wednesday to take invited testimony on the immigration issue. Hearings on selected bills will be scheduled later.

"We remain vigilant," said Bill Hammond, president of the business group. "It ain't over till it's over."


Tuition breaks
Bills also have been filed to repeal a law, signed by Perry six years ago, giving tuition breaks to some illegal immigrants attending state universities.
The governor remains a strong supporter of the law, which grants lower, in-state tuition to the children of immigrants who have lived in Texas at least three years, have graduated from a Texas high school and plan to become citizens.

Rep. Rick Noriega, D-Houston, who sponsored the law, said an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 students have benefited from it, and more than 70 percent have graduated.

Many have returned to the Capitol this session to lobby lawmakers to keep it on the books.

Noriega said the personal approach may be working.

"When you put a face on (success), what it does is change people's hearts," he said.


Reminders of slavery
During the House debate over Confederate monuments last week, lawmakers — had they taken the time to notice — would have found themselves surrounded by reminders of slavery, that shameful mark on Texas history.
Fourteen portraits of historic figures line the walls of the House chamber. At least four served in the Confederate Army. One is even pictured in his gray uniform.

The portraits include Sam Houston, the hero who was removed as governor because he opposed secession, even though he owned slaves at some point during his lifetime.

I don't know how many of the other men were slave owners, but the portraits include at least one slave trader, James Bowie, better known to history for dying at the Alamo.

You can write to Clay Robison 1005 Congress, Suite 1060, Austin, TX 78701, or e-mail him at clay.robison@chron.com

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/edi ... 60379.html

The only thing shameful here is that Texas has repeatedly NOT enforced immigration laws and is reponsible for the mass migration of millions of people over its neglected borders!

If Texas with the U.S. government were held accountable by other states, it could be sued for billions of dollars that we all have to pay to support these invaders.