Will "Sanctuary Cities" Galvanize Texas Latinos?
The contentious sanctuary cities legislation debate left a bitter aftertaste for some Latinos, but whether it translates into change at the ballot box next year may depend on how much they remember about one of the state’s most controversial bills.
The legislation, which many critics saw as a watered-down version of Arizona’s more draconian anti-immigrant law, SB 1070, failed to make it to Gov. Rick Perry’s desk despite his designation that it was an emergency item. Latinos’ reactions to the fact that it was even considered, however, was expected. Many Latino opponents of the measure vowed, “We ...
Comments (33)
BayouCrier Comment
The Hispanic community cannot put together enough votes to defeat a sanctuary city law. The Mexican Americans don't want the illegals here because they cause the wage rates to go down for the hourly worker. The illegals cannot vote anymore because you have to show proof of citizenship. So whats left, compassionate hispanics that think the illegal is just trying to better himself.
Does a felony act (being in the USA illegally) justify the persuit of a better life? If you think so, I'll be over to rob you tonight to pay for my college education.
Joe Estep via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Funny, they like all good Americans will vote their wallets and not ideology.
Jose B. Gonzalez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
The future is clear... In the near future no party will be able to win without a LARGE portion of the Latino vote. This is NOT an opinion, this is a cold hard fact... The Republican party has done nothing to win over the Latino voters. It's easy to see what will happen in the next 10-20 years...
Rita Thomas Holden via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I don't buy that... most all LEGAL Latino Republicans are for Republicans, period. Like the majority of Americans, the LEGAL Republican Latino's are FOR "legal immigration" and not for sanctuary cities or illegal immigration.
Debbie Russell via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Someone speculated SB9 didn't end up passing b/c Perry got wise at the last sec and realized he might need Latino voters for a presidential run.
Ryan Cooper via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Z zz
Ryan Cooper via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Zz ;((.... T t. Z
Annie Martinez Vieyra via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Hey Rita, let's ask a "legal" (your despicable words, not mine) Latino what they think--SB9 is clearly racist and needs to go away.
Jose B. Gonzalez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Rita - you said - most LEGAL Latino Republicans are for Republicans...... That statement is most probably true. The problem for Republicans is that only a VERY SMALL number of Latinos are Republicans, the vast majority are Democrats. Either by design or ignorance the Republican party has done next to nothing to win them over. It's a pretty simple political fact - in order to win a group of voters you must take into account that groups needs, wants, concerns and dreams, unfortunately, the Republicans are either unwillingly to do this or unable because it would upset their base voters - such as yourself...
Chris Bazan via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I think Rita's family members were probably illegal once...most def if you ask a native american, but who cares what they think right????
Jose B. Gonzalez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I met some Native Americans in Oklahoma - they told me they've been fighting illegal immigration since 1492... But nobody wants to hear this version of history...
Mike Openshaw via Texas Tribune on Facebook
What was Sanctuary Cities legislation? It was merely about the uniform applicability of federal law on immigration, punishing cities where order their officers NOT to abide by it. Polling by UT on it showed even the Latino community was about evenly split on it (and 69% of all Texans did NOT support the Sanctuary City concept, while only 17% did). Of course, there will be a huge number of Latinos who support it- the ones that will have some difficulty in voting, since they are NOT legal residents.
The GOP generally is pro-business, pro-family and anti-abortion; not 'special' interests of the Latino population, but fits into what most Latinos believe. If they are looking for special perks based on their skin tone or original language, they need to look elsewhere for unequal treatment.
Gloria Martinez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Generally Mike? How about all the time! Ask the Texas Supreme (all Republican) court how they rule when a regular guy is up against business. They lose 97% of the time, the regular guys that is. Pro family? Is that why the Republicans are trying to gut and kill the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau? An entity that would protect the regular guy from the predatory practices of the business world? They just hate the thought of its existence! Anti-abortion? Okay, I can understand that thinking, I guess. But what about the kids that are in foster care? How many have you adopted since life is so precious and near and dear to you? Or are you just pro birth but forget the pro life part of it. Those people are called , are you ready for it? HYPOCRITES! When you get out there and start adopting those kids, they maybe I'll believe you. Now I do agree with you on the anti-immigration part of it even though I am Hispanic. Too many are coming here without an education or a skill. They have too many kids because they are devout Catholics or they just can't afford birth control so the taxpayer ends up paying the tab for these new Americans. And a lot of them do take the jobs Americans would want. Take a guy that can speak Spanish. He can get a crew of carpenters, sheet rock guys, etc. and start a little company out of illegal immigrants. While the guy who wants to hire all Americans is SOL because he pays a legal wage and the appropriate taxes. How's he supposed to compete against a crew of illegal immigrants who will practically take any amount for a wage and live 8 to 12 people to a room? They don't have to pay utility bills, car bills, mortgages, pay income tax, etc. so they don't care if they get paid a lot less. So the American crew gets outbid and it happens a lot! They found over 200 people working in a bakery near Seguin that were illegal, making $16/hour with benefits. I could go on and on. But we need to make sure our Hispanic Americans get the jobs, not the illegals. And I am all for changing the 14th amendment!
Matt Armstrong via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Why is a sanctuary cities bill racist? I am curious to hear this one.
Brittanicus
Arizona, Utah, Texas, the Border and Illegal Immigration. IT DOES EFFECT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY?
Although the Arizona border fence is not the one originated by the Bush administration signed into law, the fence is a least another enforcement tool to safeguard the State from drug and people trafficker's, along with the meandering tracks of thousands of illegal aliens. The Secure Fence act was initially a double layer fence running parallel with each other, separated by a no-man’s land in between. The 1000 yard space in between would be the rapid movement of the US Border Patrol and immigration agents. The border fence still remains uncompleted, so it’s still open to illegal commerce and has been surveyed over certain lengths of time by the ‘American Patrol’ pro-sovereignty organization in their private aircraft. Their website has up to date recent evaluations, that the border still is wide open and in some cases on Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Game and environmentalist critics have halted access to patrolling agents.
There are also spotters for drug cartels situated on top of high areas, which have full view of agents working and report to criminals how to skirt these apprehension activities. Arizona deserves a maximum safety fence; even if the federal government has refused to discharge their obligations to the ranchers and landowners.
Of late the deaths of several ranchers and the murder of a US Border Agent, has caused a caustic relationship between Arizona Senators, but Homeland Security have stated that over a hundred more border officers have met their end? The need is great for Arizona to achieve the construction, either through government aid or as being recognized now on a website where ordinary Americans can donate their hard earned money. Because of the Federal Government's absence of urgency to stop this occupation, the State of Arizona signed into law SB 1406. This legislation established a website for the purpose of raising funds through donations from the general public, businesses, and corporations across the this nation in an attempt to finance and finish building the border fence. It makes no common sense from the people of America, why the hard-wire political leaders to complete this barrier.
Americans have proved through numerous polls that they want this nation border secure, not just from--ECONOMIC--illegal migrants, but from OTM (Other Than Mexican), these others are from unfriendly countries, that have paid money to the drug cartels to smuggle them across the border. An oversight Homeland Security in a report stated that foreign nationals from Syria, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, and Pakistan, who have connections to Al Qaeda have already arrived here. It seems that they have undergone a change through Hispanic fraudulent documents, to change their names, appearance and learning to speak Spanish.
My guess Congress will only take urgent notice, when there is another massacre on our soil. Our future can only be decided by us, in the coming election. By going to the NumbersUSA website, you can observe for yourself politicians who are committed to keep the borders porous. ALL Tea Party members who are now a large majority in the House are convinced that illegal immigration must be reduced, the--REAL FENCE--built, the implementation of enforcement tools that includes the greatly improved E-Verify, to force illegal aliens out of the job market and Secure Communities, which identifies criminal aliens through fingerprints sent to Homeland Security. The Tea Party that stretches into the millions now of ordinary citizens and green card holders, will not accept any Immigration Reform, recognized as another Amnesty, followed by an overpopulation concept of CHAIN MIGRATION.
Those Academics are bunch of Liberals Progressives, who were initiated into the "foolish ideology" that illegal aliens are good for the economy? You might ask the Sanctuary State of California with an anchor around their neck, sinking into financial quicksand, trying to survive this 26 billion deficit and asking their citizens and legal residents to pay even more taxes, to support millions of instant-citizenship babies, parent caregivers and all the rest of the large families smuggled into America. The Leftists is Sacramento haven't stopped the outlay of billions of dollars every year to educate illegal kids, the medical care under crippling bombardment, Wic, Tanf and a whole lot of priorities for foreigners that the legal inhabitants must pay for; with little aid from the Federal government.
View the heritage Foundation web site, and be aware another Amnesty carries a price tag of $2.4 Trillion dollars, if only 11 million are given a path to citizenship. But the government has lied to us for thirty years, including the open border fanatics. Try calculating the real number of illegal aliens settled here, which is more than 20 million.
Utah, California, Nevada will become a giant magnet, as--ECONOMIC--illegal aliens by word of mouth, will skirt Arizona and other States with harsh policing laws and instead for refuges were they can collect more free handouts and hope that the dollars don't deplete from taxpayers. Rep. Lamar Smith'sR-San Antonio push for a mandated E-Verify is the best news jobless American workers under Obama could here. Upgraded with nationwide Drivers license information could soon make it a formidable deterrent, to catch illegal nationals.
The Dream Act can activate yet another mass CHAIN MIGRATION, that all eventually calculated spurs a pyramid scheme of thousands upon thousands of families, as did the 1986 Immigration Control and Reform. Act. Since 1986 Act, the largest group that come here, never paid a penny into welfare, Social Security and Pensions that taxpayers have been paying ever since. There is a huge outlay for illegal immigrants that ranges from billions into the Trillions, for another Amnesty. The Tea PARTY has the--ONLY--answers to engorged government, less taxes and responsibility to Americans and not Foreign Nationals, who have invaded our country. American should not have to compete with unwelcome people from other countries, from across the worlds, which come here to have babies and stealing discretionary entitlements from legal immigrants and citizens. The Tea Party will change laws, to punish foreigners who enter this land without permission, severely; just like Mexico and other governments. The Tea Party will amend the 1986 Immigration law, to make it substantially easy for exceptional people with profession skills, to get special visas; including entrepreneurs. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, and caucus leader of the TEA PARTY is the perfect Representative of all Americans and those legalized and would enforce laws as president, including --FAIR--trade agreements for THE PEOPLE...and not subservient to Chinese importers.
Arizona needs our help and those not content with the governments excuses for not constructing the REAL DOUBLE FENCE--can donate to the website at: https://www.buildtheborderfence.com/azborder/index.xhtml Organizers in the State Legislature, which created the fund the initial goal is to raise some $50 million to get the work underway. As with the previous alert for donations for combating the (ACLU) American Civil Liberties Union filings, of objections to policing laws with the federal court, the money will definitely start rolling in.
say it will allow average Americans angry and frustrated with the inability of Washington to address the problem of illegal immigration to contribute personally. Of course Leftist Janet Napolitano, the secretary of homeland security, expressed doubts about the effectiveness of physical barriers at the border, using the old diatribe about the 51 foot ladder. However, that illegal alien scaling a ladder, but being confronted by Concertina Razor wire would certainly attain a different response. The radical organization La Raza, funded by George Soros, a Marxist who has openly wants America to come under the influence of International law, would make waves about civil rights. Not mentioning that 8 million or more, illegal aliens have been occupying American jobs.
Jose Cortina via Texas Tribune on Facebook
@ Matt- I'm a supporter of State's Rights...why not City's Rights? If a current sanctuary city wishes not to remain one, take it to the city ballot box. My money is on it not happening and since 4 of 5 Texans live in cities and cities provide the majority of state tax revenue, wouldn't that be a more accurate voice of Texas? Just saying.
Cristi Parker via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Matt: Because only a certain type of person is going to be asked their immigration status and yes, that will be based on notions of what "race" an immigrant is.
Cristi Parker via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Um, yes. Expect us.
Cristi Parker via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Rita, it might interest you to know that the proponents of the so-called "sanctuary cities" bills are NOT in favor of ANY immigration, "legal" or not... (The fact that unauthorized entry into the U.S. is not a criminal matter at all and therefore not "illegal" notwithstanding). Does that sound too radical and loony to be true? Well, I encourage you to learn more about Immigration Reform Coalition of Texas (IRCOT). They are big supporters of @NumbersUSA, a group that fights for ZERO immigration. And of course, we can't forget that their founder and president, Rebecca Forest was caught on tape saying, "the problem with Texas is there are too many Hispanics." Watch her here: http://youtu.be/QlSLjdGGpWQ They people who supported these bills are racists, radicals and have no respect or knowledge of American history and tradition.
Bert Chadwick
Well, let me tell you. I have several Latino friends and they say that all those "Latino or Hispanic Republicans" are are betraying their community, because they forgot about their roots, for one. And then because the have forgotten that the Republican Party for decades has been the WORST ENEMY of the Latino community. Since mid 80's, with Pres. Reagan and Pete Wilson a the top of the list, all ANTI-Hispanics and ANTI-immigrants bills and proposals have been PROMOTED by GOP politicians.
Those same friends say they will NOT LET THEIR LATINO COMMUNITY FORGET about Arizona, ALABAMA, GEORGIA, NEBRASKA, OKLAHOMA, N.CAROLINA,UTAH, TENNESSEE, and lately TEXAS. They will not forget about Sen Tommy Williams, Rep. Burt Solomon, Rep. Debbie Riddle, Rep. Leo Berman, and of course, they will allow the community forget Lamar Smith; and many other names.
These Latino friend have said they will take stand and will run every little resource to remind Latinos about what happened during the 2011 Legislature. They will not forget the Voter ID, which is the real fraud, will forget about HB12,SB9 and SB1, among other things.
If I were in their shoes, I would do the same and would keep the "flame" going. I that is the case, Somos Republicanos and other Latinos conservative groups, traitors to their community, beware.
Bert Chadwick
Errata:
1-"...they will allow the community forget Lamar Smith; and many other names." ...Read...THEY WILL NOT ALLOW THE COMMUNITY FORGET LAMAR SMITH AND MANY OTHER NAMES...
2-"....They will not forget the Voter ID, which is the real fraud, will forget about HB12,SB9 and SB1, among other things." ....Read...
THEY WILL NOT FORGET THE VOTER ID, WHICH IS THE REAL FRAUD, WILL NOT FORGET ABOUT HB12,SB9 AND SB1, AMONG OTHER THINGS
I also forget to include Sen. Dan Patrick of Houston.
Gloria Martinez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
With over 14 million Americans out of work and some that have been looking for over two years, how do you justify allowing 700,000 people per year into this country legally? That's insanity! And with the deep cuts that are coming with the upcoming budget that number will shoot up. If these immigrants don't find jobs they go on welfare, food stamps, etc., we don't have the funds. And that number doesn't include illegal immigration! When your family is going hungry, you don't take groceries to the family down the street, you take care of your own first. So yes, legal immigration needs to stop now. Besides, we're running out of clean air, fuel, roads, electricity, clean water, etc.
Henry Potter via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Oh, please. Latino/Hispanics may be the most apathetic group of voters I have ever seen. What passes for Latino leadership constantly threatens Vengeance! at the next election, and then the next, and then the next and so on and on. Nothing ever changes.
Henry Potter via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Oh, wait. I forgot. Something did change. Hispanic voters did vote last year. Ask Solomon Ortiz.
gypsy314 ne
First They always want to play race card learning well from Obama mama second they no from the last amnesty they gain 20 million to help the La Rasa the race. Americans are fed up footing the bill for evryone who wants a free ride on our tax dollar. Once Obama mama is impeach or a new President is voted in then we can start cleaning up this mess. Securing our borders and deporting all the are here illegally here including there children I believe family's should not be separated.
Manny Sepulveda via Texas Tribune on Facebook
@henry we will see if mr farenthold will hold that seat in a few years...and please keep thinking that on latino votes.. our kids are growing up
Manny Sepulveda via Texas Tribune on Facebook
@ gloria be carful with a name like gloria or martinez the tea party might mistake you for the people your railing against ... isnt that the same sorry excuse... now is not the time.. look at our economy,,, we have no money, we are running out of roads ,,,thats a new one,,, but worry not glo ria your gov is trying to get as many toll roads as he can in the state.
Manny Sepulveda via Texas Tribune on Facebook
@ matt really simple as stated already,,,, you and me on a corner, cops come by look at you and smile - ask how you are,,,, look at me and ask me for papers... that unamerican,,,i dont have the same rights as you, i become a sub citizen, sort of like the slave period where free blacks had to carry FREEDOM PAPERS but a white never had this problem in that period... as the bill was written all a cop had to do was be in the vicinity
Gloria Martinez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Thankfully Matt, the toll roads business is dead for now. And just because I'm a liberal doesn't mean I am in lock step with all the liberal thinking, I draw the line at legal and illegal immigration. The state department and certain charities (Catholic) are to blame for refugees being settled here with no skills, wide culture and language gaps. If you don't believe me just listen or read this clip for the World on NPR. It's a tragedy for them and for us as taxpayers and their neighbors. Again I emphasize, take care of poor and jobless Americans FIRST!!! And if anyone wants to check my papers I say have at it, I have nothing to hide while others do. http://www.theworld.org/2011/07/the-struggle-for-refugees-in-new-hampshire/
Cristi Parker via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Manny is right, Gloria, be careful! Remember, they think "Hispanics are the problem."
Gloria Martinez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Cristi, have you ever watched the news on tv at night? Who's committing most of the crime? This state is almost 50 - 50 but the crime by Hispanics is almost 90%! My aunt and my mother were both born in Mexico and I will always remember sitting at the table when they would converse and I especially remember them saying that they were so glad that Texas was no longer a part of Mexico and how they couldn't blame the Anglos for disliking Mexicans because of the crime problem. They have too many kids and then can't afford to raise them. One young woman that worked for me had eight kids by three different fathers, and the fathers were all illegal. They were all on medicaid, food stamps and the two youngest are on WIC. She's on Medicaid also, my brother has cardiovascular disease and has worked all his life and can't get medicaid. But because she is poor and has so many kids that the taxpayers are paying for, she gets Medicaid. My nieces have two kids each and one of them had to wait three years to have her second one because they weren't making enough money for day care, give me a break! A lot of Hispanics don't stay in school and if they do they screw up and just get passed to get them out of there, i've been an educator for over 20 years and I see it every day!!!!
David Spratt
Being a Republican does not mean you are a true conservative or a Constitutionalist. For the issue to go this far, and Americans of Latino heritage to worry about racial profiling demonstrates the gravity of the issue and how far out of hand it has become. As noted in the story California has moved to the left and become a blue state. We can all see how well this has worked out for them. If looking past illegal immigrants and allowing them to do as they will without enforcing the law will take us to where California is today, I wonder why anyone would be in favor of that approach? Latinos and Hispanics are the most affected , (by illegal immigration), economically , socially and if you consider the supposed racial profiling aspects of proposed laws. They are as fooled as the rest of us by those elected to represent them. Are they falling for the race baiting rhetoric of some of their elected officials? If nothing is done and things continue as they are now, conditions will only worsen. I would hope that those who vote would see themselves not as Latino, Black, White or any other racial or ethnic group, but as Americans. Groups like LULAC , while seeming to do good work on behalf of the Latino community , in reality divide us. They claim Hispanic children deserve more funding in education since they are disadvantaged and have lower graduation numbers. They go to the same schools as other children, have the same resources, same library, same sports programs, same teachers ect ect. So if they have everything at their disposal on equal terms as any other group it must not be the school or amount of funding, it must be some other factor that money will not cure. Same goes for the Black community. Pitting Latinos/ Hispanics against " the rest of the country," will not serve us well as Americans whether it is done by special interest groups, media or elected officials. The hard cold fact is that the greatest number of illegal immigrants are from Latin countries. If there were 20 or 30 million illegals from Africa then the outcry would be from the Black community, since obviously the racial profiling would be directed at them. It is time for the race card to be retired and the problem addressed for the survival of all of us.I am not convinced that Latinos at large are in favor of illegal immigration or support mass amnesties, and yes some legal Latinos/ Hispanics will be questioned. A small price to pay I would think for continued freedom and prosperity. I think it is all a fabrication of the media and those who prey on peoples fears to further their own causes. Continue to address the problem of Illegal Immigration from a standpoint of law enforcement and border security and let the chips fall where they may. It is importent for our survival as a Nation and as Americans.
gypsy314 ne
We have a few with o back bone and looks like they are demos. I think the Hispanic will vote but they will not want all of there tax funds going to folks here illegally here draining our system of funds and affecting there future as well. Perry , and the other snakes in the grass will pay for it from the voters. Obama colors are now clear to all and no one with any sense should vote for the traitor and if our congress and senate was doing there job Obama mama would be impeached by now. I think Bachmann is our next President and the only one with a back bone.