Posted on 12/16/2008 2:35:02 PM PST by SwinneySwitch
EL PASO -- When the 81st Texas Legislature convenes next month, El Paso County will be taking a stand against any bills that could be deemed "anti-immigrant."
"Our lobbyists already are being put on notice by a result of you passing this resolution that anti-immigration legislation is something you all are interested in," said County Attorney José Rodriguez, explaining Monday's action.
So far, state lawmakers have already filed nearly a dozen bills including the word "immigrant" and nearly a half-dozen including the words "immigration status;" it's bills like these that the county now says it's planning to officially weigh in on.
County Commissioner Dan Haggerty, the lone vote against the action, said officially opposing bills that could be considered "anti-immigrant" could also put the county in an uncomfortable position down the road.
"When you do something like this ... you're instructing an elected official on how to do his job," he told Rodriguez.
Two other members of the court who both voted in favor of the move apparently saw some validity in Haggerty's concern.
"I don't want to give a blanket approval," County Judge Anthony Cobos said. "Who's going to decide that it's blatantly anti-immigrant or just borderline?"
County Commissioner Veronica Escobar agreed with Cobos' concern.
"I think there's some wisdom in reviewing these things, but at least we've given our lobbyists a direction," she said.
As the Legislature gets cranked up next month, the county's lobbyists will let them know when potentially divisive border legislation comes up and commissioners will then vote -- one-by-one -- on which ones to support and which ones to oppose.
(Excerpt) Read more at kvia.com ...
Anybody in El Paso ever hear of ILLEGAL immigrants?
When the 81st Texas Legislature convenes next month, El Paso County will be taking a stand against any bills that could be deemed “anti-immigrant.”
I seriously doubt this is about legal immigration.
This is about illegal aliens and peoples efforts to circumvent our laws and violate the honor of the millions of immigrants from all over the world that came into America legally.
Quislings ping!
If you want on, or off this S. Texas/Mexico ping list, please FReepMail me.
Is EL PASO still a part of America or does the city just enjoy our money without complying with our laws regarding illegals, just wink and nod is it ?
This is another step toward the border counties, then states, running their own migra policy.
The outcome 25 years down the road will be dire.
I was born and raised there. I left almost forty years ago when I went into the service, and it amazes me to remember that I was briefly homesick for the place (it was much better then too).
They need to start filing some bills using the words "illegal aliens."
El Paso County Commissioners Court
Anthony Cobos
County Judge
Luis Sariñana
Commissioner Precinct 1
Veronica Escobar
Commissioner Precinct 2
Miguel A. Teran
Commissioner Precinct 3
Daniel Haggerty
Commissioner Precinct 4
El Paso County Commissioners Court
80% Hispanic
Are you kidding? Most of the residents of El Paso are ILLEGAL immigrants. It is becoming increasingly rare to hear English spoken there.
If the county refuses to follow state law, can’t the state revoke their charter and install state officials to run the county until a new county government can be arranged? Don’t county elected officials swear to uphold all the laws of Texas when they are sworn in? Can someone familiar with Texas laws comment on this?
The Texas Constitution
Article 16 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1 - OFFICIAL OATH
(a) All elected and appointed officers, before they enter upon the duties of their offices, shall take the following Oath or Affirmation: “I, _______________________, do solemnly swear (or affirm), that I will faithfully execute the duties of the office of ___________________ of the State of Texas, and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States and of this State, so help me God.”
(b) All elected or appointed officers, before taking the Oath or Affirmation of office prescribed by this section and entering upon the duties of office, shall subscribe to the following statement: “I, _______________________, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I have not directly or indirectly paid, offered, promised to pay, contributed, or promised to contribute any money or thing of value, or promised any public office or employment for the giving or withholding of a vote at the election at which I was elected or as a reward to secure my appointment or confirmation, whichever the case may be, so help me God.”
(c) Members of the Legislature, the Secretary of State, and all other elected and appointed state officers shall file the signed statement required by Subsection (b) of this section with the Secretary of State before taking the Oath or Affirmation of office prescribed by Subsection (a) of this section. All other officers shall retain the signed statement required by Subsection (b) of this section with the official records of the office. (Amended Nov. 8, 1938, and Nov. 6, 1956; Subsecs. (a)-(c) amended and (d)-(f) added Nov. 7, 1989; Subsecs. (a) and (b) amended, Subsecs. (c) and (d) deleted, and Subsecs. (e) and (f) amended and redesignated as Subsec. (c) Nov. 6, 2001.)
http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/txconst/sections/cn001600-000100.html
Much like Laredo, where the presumption is that you speak Spanish when you enter a restaurant or other retail business, even if you're a blue-eyed gringo like me.
ping
Thanks SS, those sections read just about like I thought they would. From those, I would think that a county’s officials acting the way those in El Paso county are doing would be in violation of their oaths and subject to state sanction.
Oaths don’t mean what they used to, Surtur.
After WWII ended, Vidkun Quisling was tried for high treason and subsequently executed by firing squad.
I am so glad that Pittsburgh will be going to the Sun bowl in El Paso while West Virginia gets to make the short drive down to Charlotte for the Car Care bowl. (yeah, just a small consolation for getting beat by Pitt the last two years...)
El Paso County is the most financially strapped county in Texas. My ex worked for Social Services there. She said a high percentage of their “clients” were illegals. Of course, they were forbidden to ask. No suprise here.
You are so right. What happened to integrity in this country when a man’s word actually held some meaning, when swearing an oath was a legal bond among civilized people. I miss those times. Now, we can’t even be sure what the meaning of “is” is.
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