Texas GOP Vote

I have read several comments back and forth about the situation which occurred during a Texas Transportation and Homeland Security hearing on Monday June 13, in the Capitol regarding SB9, the sanctuary cities bill.

I have decided to go ahead and speak my side since I was there. Not only was I present, but I can remember clearly how this situation happened, and I also have reviewed the video of the situation.   Read more »

As Mr. Antolin Aguirre gave testimony before the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee this week he chose to give his testimony in Spanish. One of his fellow panelists acted as a translator. The testimony became cumbersome as the translator was unable to keep up. Texas Senator Chris Harris (R-Arlington) became angry and interrupted Aguirre and asked "Why aren't you speaking English?"   Read more »

RPT - Today the Texas House passed HB 12, the Sanctuary Cities bill, by a vote of 100-47 on third reading. This bill allows cities and law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws by preventing local policies in conflict with U.S. immigration laws and by establishing uniform, consistent standards for all Texas law enforcement.

There's a push in Austin for an Arizona-style immigration crackdown, including a ban on "sanctuary cities." Governor Perry has made the ban an "emergency item" in this legislative session. The debate boiled over on the Newsradio 1080am KRLD Midday News with Scott Braddock and Mitch Carr.

Republican Party of Texas - Texas State Senators Tommy Williams (R-The Woodlands) and State Representative Burt Solomons (R-Carrollton) have filed companion bills to prohibit sanctuary policies which either directly or indirectly harbor illegal immigrants in Texas Cities. The Senate version of the bill is enumerated SB 11, and the House version is HB 12.   Read more »

On Friday, February 11, freshman State Senator Jose Rodriguez (D – El Paso) filed SB600, which is basically the antithesis of Arizona’s SB1070 and then some. If passed, which I highly doubt (it’ll be lucky if it’s even assigned to a committee), SB600 would prohibit “law enforcement inquiries regarding the nationality or immigration status of a victim of or witness to a criminal offense.” Really? Isn’t this taking the whole racist paranoia thing a little too far? This legislation is clearly at odds with federal immigration statutes and seeks to add to one of the flaws of our current immigration system – sanctuary cities.   Read more »