Christians should vote no on SB 1819

This morning, I sent individually addressed emails (copy below) to every Texas Senator and their Chief of Staff. I copied Governor Abbott, and Lt. Gov. Patrick. Please talk to every Republican Senator you know. Adoption of SB 1819 would send a terrible message to Hispanic Voters, and is simply bad public policy!

This is a copy of my letter.

Dear Senator Robert Nichols:

Please take a second to read Leviticus 19:34.

“The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.”

SB 1819 should be voted down. UT Austin is our only state supported University that is filled to capacity. Undocumented immigrants are paying more than fifty million in annual tuition, and 75% of them are attending our community colleges. If we run them off, how will we make up the lost tuition?

These college students have grown up “dwelling among us.” Their families are working and paying taxes. They were brought here as children. We promised them in-state tuition fourteen years ago!

I am asking my Republican friends, why would we want to blame these young people with Congress’s failure to pass Immigration Reform? Senator, please search your heart, and do what is right.

The majority of these students are related to American Citizens that vote. Why would Republicans support an Arizona-style bill that makes us look hateful toward Hispanics?

May God move you to make the right decision!