Texas and Immigration: State Solutions to a National Challenge

"Do not remove the ancient landmark,
Nor enter the fields of the fatherless;"
Proverbs 23:10

Because, yah, this isn't controversial:

Craig Estes:

• Situation in South Texas is "terrible"
• Washington D.C. created this problem and they're the only ones who can solve it.
• It's one of their enumerated powers in the Constitution.
• "The Feds owe us a half a Billion dollars (at least)."
• Border security and immigration policy are related, but they're different animals.

JoAnn Fleming:

• "The rule of law has been abandoned in the United States."
• If we continue to degrade the rule of law, we're going to end up with the same problems they have in Europe.
• DPS is just as vulnerable as Border Patrol.
• State presence helps, but it's still wide open on the border.
• Eliminate every single magnet that attracts illegals
• Including repeal of In-State tuition
• "It is time for Republicans to either put up or shut up and go home."

Alex Nowrasteh (Cato Institute):

• Current immigration mess was designed by labor unions.
• There is no green card available for a low skilled worker to come legally unless they're closely related to an American citizen.
• Three actions Texas Can Take
• Welfare Reform
• E-verify - Expensive, inefficient, and not particularly effective
• If it works, it hurts the economy; if it doesn't work, it hurts the economy.
• Guest worker visas
• You can't regulate a black market.

Paul Workman:

• Proposing "Texas Border Patrol" next session.
• Immigration will take care of itself down the line, but for now the focus is on Border Security.