Immigration
Sanctuary Cities Bill Is Back
Call Your Senator Now and Ask Them to Vote 'No' on HB12
On May 18th, the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee met to take public testimony on HB 12, the so-called "Sanctuary Cities" bill. Hundreds of advocates, including faith-leaders, police chiefs and immigration reform advocates from across the state, gathered to testify against the bill. Those who testified against the bill cited concerns about racial profiling, loss of community trust making it more difficult for police officers to do their job, and placing an unfunded mandate on counties.
After some testimony, Chairman Tommy Williams (R-The Woodlands) pulled down the House version of HB 12 and allowed Senator Hinojosa (D- McAllen) to offer a committee substitute that would delete all the text in HB 12 and replace it with the text of SB 9, an omnibus homeland security bill. Senator Williams pledged that he would not allow the original HB 12 language back into the bill. The bill was left pending in committee.
This afternoon the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committe met again to vote the bill from committee. However, rather than keeping the committee substitute language, Senator Williams put back the original language into HB 12, thereby giving Sanctuary Cities legislation new life. The bill passed, without testimony or amendments, on a 5-3 vote.
HB 12 will now move to the Senate floor where it will be voted on by the whole body.
Click here to see the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee pass out HB 12 on May 20th.
Click here to see Senator Watson and Senator Williams pledge not to bring up sanctuary city legislation.
Click here to see faith leaders and other testify against HB 12 in other hearings.
Click here to read the Interfaith Leaders' Statement on Immigration.
Click here to learn more about HB 12.
Call Your Senator Now and Ask Them to Vote 'No' on HB 12.
Click here to find out who represents you.
House Passes Sanctuary Cities Bill
After several long hours of debate, the Texas House voted today, May 10, to pass HB 12 by Rep. Burt Solomons. This bill-- known as the 'sanctuary cities bill'-- would prohibit state and local governments, including school and hospital districts, from adopting any policy that prevents law enforcement officials from inquiring about a person's immigration status once that person has been lawfully detained or arrested. The final vote on the bill was 100 to 47.
In March, HB 12 was heard in the House State Affairs committee where many faith leaders testified against it. Rev. Bobbie Kaye Jones from the Southwest Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church spoke against HB 12, saying "There is no wiggle room in the Bible when it comes to hospitality or welcoming the stranger, so I know you're not considering this bill as an answer to 'What Would Jesus Do?'" Texas Impact's President, Rev. T. Randall Smith also testified, urging legislators to "move from fear to respect" when it comes to considering immigration legislation.
You can read the Texas Faith Leaders' Statement on Immigration here and see more testimony from the committee hearing here.
Police chiefs throughout the state have testified against HB 12, citing concerns that the bill will lead to racial profiling by overzealous law enforcement officers and citizens (who have the right to file complaints under HB 12). Police chiefs also worry that this bill will put a strain on already limited resources, and will undermine community trust.
HB 12 will now head to a Senate committee before being debated on the Senate floor.
HB 1375
Relating to the enforcement of state and federal laws governing immigration by certain governmental entities.
HB 12
Relating to the enforcement of state and federal laws governing immigration by certain governmental entities.
House State Affairs Hears Sanctuary Cities, Immigration, DREAM Act Bills
Check out our Twitter feed (@TXImpact) or our Facebook page for updates on this topic-- check out our video feed for clips of the hearing here.
The House Committee on State Affairs got off to a late start on Wednesday, March 1st, starting around 4:00pm after the House adjourned.
The Committee is hearing several bills related to immigration, including HB 12 (Solomons), HB 18 (Riddle), HB 183 (Solomons), HB 623 (Bonnen), HB 875 (C. Howard), and HB 603 (Farrar). You can find out more about these bills here.
The Committee kicked off with an exchange between Representative Burt Solomons (R-Carrollton) and Representative Rene Oliveira (D-Brownsville) about HB 12, which would keep local governments from adopting a policy that prohibits the full enforcement of federal law. Rep. Oliveira said that if HB 12 passes, it would tie up resources and make it more difficult for local law enforcement officials to enforce state laws. Representative Sylvester Turner (D-Houston) also raised questions about whether this bill would result in unintended consequences, such as harassment of detainees by overzealous local officers. Representative Menendez (D-San Antonio) agreed with Rep. Turner saying "This isn't theory" as he shared a personal of his father being detained outside his own house until his mother brought his papers.
You can watch Rep. Solomons lay out HB 12 here.
Reps. Solomons, Menendez and Oliviera discuss HB 12 here.
You can watch Rep. Menendez share his story here.
Rev. Bobbie Kaye Jones, District Superindentent of the Southwest Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church, also testified saying, "There is no wiggle room in the Bible when it comes to hosipitality or welcoming the stranger, so I know you aren't considering this legislation as the answer to 'What would Jesus Do?'" You can see the video here.
Texas Impact President Rev. T. Randall Smith also testified, urging lawmakers to "move from fear to respect" when considering immigration legislation. You can see the video here.
Sister Elizabeth Riebschlaeger of the Sisters of Charity spoke about the God-given dignity of all human citizens. You can see her testimony here.
At 9:08PM, Rep. Solomons laid out the committee substitute for HB 183 that would require a law enforcement official to request a person's immigration status be checked within 48 hours of someone's arrest and before they are released on bond. This is slightly different from the original bill that would require a law enforcement official to verify the status.
At 9:25 Representative Dennis Bonnen laid out his omnibus anti-immigration bill. You can read the text of the bill here. The bill would:
- require law enforcment officials to check the immigration status of someone within 48 hours of his or her arrest
- create an "immigration database" that records unlawfully present immigrants that have been arrested and makes that information public
- require lawful presence for students to qualify for in-state tuition
- require state agencies to report on the direct and indirect costs of providing services to unlawfully present immigrants
- establish English as the official language of Texas and strikes a provision that requires official information to be provided in Spanish
- prohibit local governments from adopting a policy that does not fully enforce federal immigration law
Texas Faith Leaders Call for "New and Gracious Tone" in State Immigration Debate
Press Release
Texas Faith Leaders Call for "New and Gracious Tone" in State Immigration Debate
AUSTIN—Leaders of Texas’ Christian denominations joined with Jewish and Muslim clergy in calling for compassion and mutual respect as lawmakers opened public testimony on a series of bills that would impose new state sanctions on undocumented persons, require proof of citizenship for an array of activities, and remove the authority of police departments to prioritize public safety over identification of possible undocumented immigrants.
More than 40 senior religious leaders from throughout the state endorsed the “Texas Interfaith Leaders’ Statement on Immigration Legislation in the 82nd Texas Legislature.” Together, the leaders represent more than 10 million Texans.
United Methodist Bishop James Dorff of San Antonio said his denomination and other faith traditions oppose the legislation because it would undermine racial reconciliation and damage local communities. “We urge Texas legislators to reject policies that could encourage discrimination, coopt local law enforcement, or scapegoat immigrants,” Dorff said.
Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston said that faith communities support immigration reform but see it as a federal issue outside the control of the Texas Legislature.
“Our nation’s immigration system is flawed and results in suffering not only within our borders, but also throughout the rest of the world. Our faith traditions have called strenuously and tirelessly for Congress to reform our federal immigration system, and we will continue to do so,” DiNardo said.
Dr. Javier Elizondo, Executive Vice President and Provost of the Baptist University of the Americas in San Antonio, said the legislation under consideration could have unintended consequences for American citizens.
“Texas Legislators should be cautious when considering policies that could detract from safety and risk the inadvertent deprivation of the civil and constitutional rights of citizens and lawful permanent residents,” Elizondo said.
Imam Yusuf Z. Kavakci of the Islamic Association of North Texas said anti-immigrant sentiment reflects fear, and that lawmakers should lead Texas out of a paradigm of fear to one of respect.
“By affirming the dignity of every person, including those who migrate, lawmakers can help the people of Texas move from fear to respect. And only with respect can we work with all Americans to build a truly just national immigration system,” Kavakci said.
The entire text of the statement and list of signatories is attached. The statement and list of signatories is available online at www.texasimpact.org/interfa
Representatives of the Catholic bishops, the United Methodist bishops, the bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Executive Board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas will provide oral and written testimony in the House State Affairs hearing this afternoon. The hearing will include House Bill 12, the so-called “sanctuary cities” legislation that is among the items the Governor has declared emergency legislation.AUSTIN—Leaders of Texas’ Christian denominations joined with Jewish and Muslim clergy in calling for compassion and mutual respect as lawmakers opened public testimony on a series of bills that would impose new state sanctions on undocumented persons, require proof of citizenship for an array of activities, and remove the authority of police departments to prioritize public safety over identification of possible undocumented immigrants.
Texas Interfaith Leaders’ Statement on Immigration Legislation in the 82nd Texas Legislature
As Texas religious leaders, we unite our voices to call on our Legislature for a new and gracious tone in our state’s immigration debate. We encourage lawmakers to focus on healing Texas communities and affirming the rights and inherent worth of every person.
Our nation’s immigration system is flawed and results in suffering not only within our borders, but also throughout the rest of the world. Our faith traditions have called strenuously and tirelessly for Congress to reform our federal immigration system, and we will continue to do so.
We recognize and support the right of the United States to protect and secure our border and enforce our immigration laws. We support the work of lawmakers and law enforcement officials in protecting all people in Texas. However, when working to maintain and improve public safety, our Texas Legislators should be cautious when considering policies that could detract from safety and risk the inadvertent deprivation of the civil and constitutional rights of citizens and lawful permanent residents.
We urge Texas legislators to provide guidance and leadership to our state by rejecting policies that could encourage discrimination, co-opt local law enforcement, or scapegoat immigrants.
As policymakers and leaders, Texas legislators have the opportunity and responsibility to guide our whole community into a future of compassion, gratitude, and mutual respect. By affirming the dignity of every person, including those who migrate, lawmakers can help the people of Texas move from fear to respect. And only with respect can we work with all Americans to build a truly just national immigration system.
Signed,
Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston/Houston
Most Rev. Daniel E. Flores, Bishop of the Diocese of Brownsville
Most Rev. David Fellhauer, Bishop of the Diocese of Victoria
Most Rev. Curtis J. Guillory, Bishop of the Diocese of Beaumont
Most Rev. Joe S. Vasquez, Bishop of the Diocese of Austin
Most Rev. Placido Rodriguez, C.M.F., Bishop of the Diocese of Lubbock
Most Rev. Oscar Cantu, S.T.L., Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of San Antonio
Most Rev. Janes Tamayo, Bishop of the Diocese of Laredo
Most Rev. Kevin J. Farrell, Bishop of the Diocese of Dallas
Most Rev. Michael D. Pfeifer, O.M.I., Bishop of the Diocese of San Angelo
Most Rev. Michael Mulvey, Bishop of the Diocese of Corpus Christi
Most Rev. Armando Ochoa, Bishop of the Diocese of El Paso
Most Rev. Kevin Vann, Bishop of the Diocese of Fort Worth
Most Rev. Gustavo Garcia-Siller, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of San Antonio
Most Rev. Mark J. Seitz, Auxillary Bishop of Diocese of Dallas
Most Rev. Patrick J. Zurek, Bishop of the Diocese of Amarillo
Bishop Max D. Whitfield, New Mexico Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe, North Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
Bishop James Dorff, Southwest Texas and Rio Grande Annual Conferences of the United Methodist Church
Bishop J. Michael Lowry, Central Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
Bishop Janice Huie, Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
Bishop Michael Rinehart, TX-LA Gulf Coast Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Bishop Ray Tiemann, Southwestern Texas Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Bishop Kevin S. Kanouse, Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas
The Rev. Dani Loving Cartwright, Regional Minister & President, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Southwest
Rev. Douglas Anders, Conference Minister, South Central Conference of the United Church of Christ
Susan Y. Paynter, Director Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission
Dr. Jesús Romero, Director of the Immigration Service and Aid Center of the Baptist General Convention of Texas and Baptist University of the Américas
Pastor Nestor Menjivar, Iglesia Bautista Principe de Paz of Austin
Dr. Javier Elizondo, Executive Vice President and Provost, Baptist University of the Americas, San Antonio
Patty Lane, Director of Intercultural Ministries, Texas Baptists
Elder Hilary Shuford, Executive Presbyter, Mission Presbytery, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), San Antonio
Rev. Robert W. Mueller, Chair of General Council, Mission Presbytery
Rabbi Neal Katz, Congregation Beth El, Tyler
Rabbi Barry H.D. Block, Senior Rabbi, Temple Beth-El, San Antonio
Rabbi Ralph Mecklenburger, Beth-El Congregation, Fort Worth
Rabbi Neil Blumofe, Senior Rabbi, Congregation Agudas Achim, Austin
Rabbi Rachel Kobrin, Congregation Agudas Achim, Austin
Rabbi Steven Folbert, Congregation Beth Israel, Austin
Dr. Yusuf Z. Kavakci, Imam & Founding Dean, Suffa Islamic Seminary, Islamic Association of North Texas
Imam Moujahed Bakhach, Islamic Association of Tarrant County
Imam Islam Mossaad, North Austin Muslim Community Center
Important Immigration Hearing: Wednesday, March 2nd
On Wednesday, March 2nd, the House State Affairs Committee will hear several important immigration bills, including a "sanctuary cities" bill (HB 12) that Gov. Perry included on his list of emergency items. The hearing will start upon adjournment, which is likely to be between noon and 2pm. It takes place in the John H. Reagan Building, Room 140 in the Captiol Complex.
Committee hearing may continue on Thursday. If you cannot stay the duration of the hearing please register an opinion without testimony on the bill by submitting a witness card to the committee clerk.
Texas Impact opposes HB 12, HB 18, HB 183, HB 623 and HB 875. Detailed descriptions of these bills follow later in this story.
Texas Impact supports HB 603, which prohibits law enforcement inquiries regarding the nationality or immigration status of a victim of or witness to a criminal offensein order to protect immigrant victims of crimes.
What Can I Do?
1) Attend the hearing: No one knows exactly what time the committee will start hearing the immigration bills, so we will begin meeting at an off-site location at noon. Call the Texas Impact office (512-472-3903) for more information about where to meet. Once the committee begins hearing the immigration bills, we will move to the JHR building and stay until the bills are finished, which could be as late as midnight (or beyond). We want the committee room to be packed so that the legislators know that there are many people who see these bills as destructive and hard-hearted.
2) Drop a card: Once you are at the committee hearing, you can register your position with the committee clerk. Texas Impact staff members Josh and Emily will be in the hearing room to help you fill out a card if you want to.
3) Call the committee: If you can't make it to the hearing, you can still call the members of the committee to register your position on the bill. Committee members and phone numbers are listed here.
The bills being heard include:
HB 12 (Solomons, R-Carrollton): This bill would keep local goverments from adopting any policy that prohibits the full enforcement of federal immigration laws. It would also keep local goverments from prohibiting law enforcement officials to inquire into someone's immigration status if they have been lawfully detained or arrested and from sharing that information the USCIS and other law enforcement entities. Read the full text.
HB 18 (Riddle, R-Tomball): This bill prohibits local governments from adopting a policy that does not full enforce federal and state immigration laws. This bill also gives the Attorney General the power to takes local goverments to court if the AG determines them to have broken the law. Read the full text.
HB 183 (Solomons, R-Carrollton): This bill requires law enforcement officials to verify a person's immigration status within 48 hours of the person's arrest. Read the full text.
HB 623 (Bonnen, R-Angleton):This is an omnibus bill that
- requires law enforcment officials to check the immigration status of someone within 48 hours of his or her arrest
- creates an "immigration database" that records unlawfully present immigrants that have been arrested and makes that information public
- requires lawful presence for students to qualify for in-state tuition
- requires state agencies to report on the direct and indirect costs of providing services to unlawfully present immigrants
- establishes English as the official language of Texas and strikes a provision that requires official information to be provided in Spanish
-
prohibits local governments from adopting a policy that does not fully enforce federal immigration law
Read the full text.
HB 875 (Howard, C., R- Sugar Land): requires sherrifs or other law enforcement officials to check the immigration status of defants awaiting trial on intoxication charges. Read the full text.
HB 603 (Farrar, D- Houston): prohibits law enforcement officials from inquiring about immigration status of a victim of or witness to a criminal offense. Texas Impact supports this bill. Read the full text.
House State Affairs Committee:
Chairman Byron Cook, (512) 463-0730
Vice-Chair Jose Menendez, (512) 463-0634
Rep. Tom Craddick, (512) 463-0500
Rep. John Frullo, (512) 463-0676
Rep. Pete Gallego, (512) 463-0566
Rep. Charlie Geren, (512) 463-0610
Rep. Patricia Harless, (512) 463-0496
Rep. Harvey Hilderbran, (512) 463-0536
Rep. Dan Huberty, (512) 463-0520
Rep. Rene Oliveira, (512) 463-0640
Rep. John Smithee, (512) 463-0702
Rep. Burt Solomons, (512) 463-0478
Rep. Sylvester Turner, (512) 463-0554
SB 394
Relating to the creation of the offense of unlawful transport of an undocumented person.
SB 146
Relating to the creation of the offense of unlawful transport of an undocumented person
