Lawmaker Files Bill In First Hour Of Filing Period For 2011 Session.
leader of the newly muscular conservatives in the Legislature, filed an
‘Arizona style’ measure that would crack down on illegal immigration,
1200 WOAI news reports.
Riddle says her measure is a response to what she says is the escalating violence caused by Mexican and Latin American gangs in Texas.
“It is absolutely out of control with the gang related crime, which is
going through the roof, so, yes, we are addressing this, and quite
frankly, I am not worried about political correctness,” Riddle told 1200
WOAI news.
The measure would be similar to Arizona’s controversial SB 1070, in that it would require that local police work
with federal immigration officials in determining the legal status of a
person who is in their custody.
“If that individual is already being detained, because of another crime,
then that officer can inquire as to one’s immigration status,” Riddle
said.
The Arizona law has been placed on hold pending a court challenge. Riddle says her
measure would help it withstand similar legal challenges.
Republicans will hold 99 of the 150 seats in the Texas House when the
biennial session is gaveled into order January 11th, the largest GOP
majority in the Texas House in 140 years. The conservative landslide
last week is expected to result in several measures on the conservative
wish list which have been killed by Democrats and moderate Republicans
being passed in the coming legislature.
Riddle’s measure would also deny all state funds to any community which declares
itself a ‘sanctuary city’ and refuses to aggressively enforce
immigration laws.
“The gang related crime which does have a connect with the Mexican drug
cartels has gone up 250 percent in this state,” Riddle said. “People are sick and tired of political correctness. They want their communities safe.”
Obama Was In Mexico For Swine Flu Outbreak – CBS News
In addition to the healthy majority in the Texas House, Republcians will still control almost 2/3 of the seats in the 31 member State
Senate, as well as Republicans in control of all statewide elected
offices.But despite their healthy majority, Democrats like State Rep.
Mike Villarreal (D-San Antonio) say they’ll fight Riddle’s propsoal.
He tells 1200 WOAI news that every study which has been conducted on
illegal immigration in Texas has found that stopping it would strangle
the state’s economy.
“All of the studies have calculated a net positive to our economy,” Villarreal said. “Even considering any
services which we provide to our own citizens that they may take
advantage of.”
Political Vel Craft 