Oliveira battles sanctuary city bill

March 12, 2011 10:45 PM
By GARY LONG, The Brownsville Herald

State Rep. René Oliveira said he is optimistic that Texas school districts won’t have to inquire about the immigration status of their students under so-called sanctuary city legislation pending in Austin.

A bill by state Rep. Burt R. Solomons, R-Carrolton, would amend the Texas Local Government Code to prohibit any municipality or special district — including a school district — from requiring its employees to not enforce federal immigration laws. Failure to comply would result in loss of state funds, according to the measure, House Bill 12.

The measure is similar to Arizona’s strict anti-illegal immigration law. Texas Gov. Rick Perry designated abolishing sanctuary cities as an “emergency itemâ€