ACLU of Texas tracking immigration legislation

AUSTIN — The ACLU of Texas said Friday it is tracking about 40 immigration-related bills during this year's Legislative session and is particularly concerned about proposals that would expand local authorities' ability to enforce immigration laws.

"The big concern is anything that creates a situation where even some local law enforcement are officially engaged in immigration policing," said Rebecca Bernhardt, the group's immigration, border and national security policy director.

Other immigration items topping the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas' agenda include bills that would expand "state bureaucracy" and "impractical proposals," Bernhardt said. She cited a bill that would attach a fee to money transfers from Texas to Mexico, Central or South America.

There are some bills drawing the ACLU's interest because the group finds them positive, including one that Bernhardt said would not penalize Texas students for missing class while applying for citizenship.

Bernhardt said she has "high hopes" that lawmakers will not be "(engaged) in really divisive legislation but focused on practical solutions that make Texans safer."