El Paso leaders decry state immigration legislation
Texas Gov. Rick Perry is turning Texas into an outcast by elevating immigration issues to an emergency level and by insisting that local law enforcement officials be allowed to enforce immigration laws, El Paso’s four highest-ranking elected officials said Friday.
If Perry and the state Legislature pass such laws —some of which have already been filed — El Paso’s status as the safest city will be jeopardized, said U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas.
“It will turn border communities into havens for criminals who will prey on undocumented immigrants and exploit their fears and silence,” Reyes said. “We think this is bad policy.”
[…]
From left, State Sen. José Rodríguez, Mayor John Cook, U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes and County Judge Veronica Escobar spoke out Friday against state immigration legislation. (Ruben R. Ramirez / El Paso Times)