From the Office of State Representative Brandon Creighton 

As you know, the Arizona governor recently signed a bill into law attempting to curtail illegal immigration. This new law, which takes effect midsummer,  makes it a state crime for illegal immigrants to be in Arizona, requires police to check for evidence of legal status, and prohibits people from hiring or soliciting work off the streets. 

The law does include safeguards against racial profiling by forbidding the use of race, ethnicity or national origin as the only criteria for suspicion that someone is here illegally. 

Last week, one Arizona county reported that over 500,000 illegal immigrants have been caught crossing their territory alone. 

It is no less of a problem for Texas.

Unfortunately, the federal government over the past years has failed or declined to take necessary actions required under our United States Constitution to protect our borders. 

The Texas State Legislature has taken more bold steps to secure Texas' border than any other state in the Union. We have spent over $200 million in additional funding for border area law enforcement (overtime pay and equipment), and the additional Department of Public Safety funding has provided helicopters and pilots for the same purpose.  As a result, we are realizing success in Texas with a more secure border.  Even so, we have much still to accomplish.  

The state of Texas has a constitutional right to provide for the safety and security of its citizens.  This was the exact message behind the press conference I held last April at the Texas Capitol in Austin. HCR Press Conference Video

This week, State Representatives Debbie Riddle and Leo Berman announced they would be introducing a similar law (as in Arizona) during the upcoming 82nd Legislative Session in January of 2011. Similar legislative efforts have been made in Austin over the past few sessions with no success. Because of the makeup of the Legislature (split nearly evenly among Republicans and Democrats at 78-72), it is very difficult to pass legislation that addresses immigration issues.  As you may remember, the Democrats killed the entire legislative agenda in the last session in order to prevent the Voter ID bill from reaching the House floor for a vote.

We should all embrace and support the Hispanic community and all others who strive to gain citizenship through proper legal channels because, after all, most of us descend from immigrants. That is what makes Texas and our entire nation the highest example of freedom in the world. 

However, we have to decide whether or not we will remain a nation of laws. I say we should.  

I will support legislation that allows local law enforcement, working in step with federal ICE officials, to determine whether or not an individual has a legal right to be in the United States. The Arizona law and a similar Texas version will either be ruled constitutional or the courts will provide clearer direction on how the State of Texas can stop the inherent problems associated with unbridled illegal immigration.

It remains a matter for the United States Supreme Court to decide the constitutionality of the new Arizona law and any similar laws that may be proposed or passed in the upcoming Texas legislative session.

This is a critical issue facing the nation, and Texas needs to be a leader in addressing it.   

Best regards, 

Brandon Creighton