Immigration Law Angers Thousands, Texas Lawmaker Wants Similar Bill in Lone Star State

Following Arizona's most historic and toughest legislation on illegal immigration, some Texas lawmakers are also considering a similar measure.  Texas State Representative Debbie Riddle, R-Tomball, started similar legislation since 2002, and is coming forward before the ink is dry on Arizona's new law, telling Texans it's essential for the safety and security of the U.S. 

Texas State Representative Solomon Ortiz, Jr., D-Corpus Christi, said Wednesday the Arizona law is not only unconstitutional, but he said it gives law enforcement personnel the legal right to racially profile people they only suspect are in the country illegally.  Austin police chief Art Acevedo agrees.

"It's not only racial profiling, it virtually mandates racial profiling,” said Acevedo.  “I believe it is contrary to everything in my body that tells me what makes America great."

At its heart, the Arizona bill authorizes officers to stop anyone they suspect of being in the United States illegally from any other country and ask them to produce papers to prove their residency status.  As of April 23, it is a crime in Arizona for immigrants to lack immigration documents.  The law is gaining national criticism, even from late night talk show hosts like David Letterman.

"I don't think you belong here," said Letterman in a thick drawl, mocking the legislation.  "Hey!  What are you doing here?  Get out!"  The talk show host's infamous Top 10 list featured the category, "Top 10 Signs Your Governor May Be Nuts."  One of the signs: Claims to be the governor of Margaritaville.

A History Lesson

Gov. Jan Brewer, R-Arizona, whether you think she's nuts or not, wasn't elected to lead the Grand Canyon State.  She was, however, elected as the Secretary of State in 2002 and re-elected in 2006.   Brewer eventually replaced Democrat Janet Napolitano, who left her post as governor to join President Obama's cabinet as Secretary of Homeland Security in 2009.   Read about the work Brewer's done in office in Arizona here.

Riddle is right on board with Brewer's thought process, and wants Texas to adopt the same kind of bill.  "We're calling a spade a spade here,” said Riddle.  

“If I’m stopped down 290 for going too fast, I don't get offended thinking he stopped me because I was a woman."  However, unlike the Arizona law, Riddle's version does not require a suspect to show identification, and a law enforcement personnel has to confirm the immigration status of a suspect with U.S. Customs and Immigration before making an arrest.


Riddle's fight for an immigration bill did not live past committee in the 81st Texas Legislative session.  She says she plans on introducing it again in the 2011 session.

In the meantime, a big rally on immigration reform is slated for Saturday in downtown Austin where thousands of people are expected to voice their opposition to the bill, and to let Texas legislators know just how they feel about the matter.