Issue Position: Legal Immigration

Issue Position

All immigration laws should be strictly enforced to protect legal residents and America's economy. "American English" should be the official language; government materials should be published only in "American English".

In Texas -- Illegal immigration should be discouraged by Texas interior enforcement of the rule of law. For example:

- Sanctuary cities/counties (hideouts for illegals) should be banned;
- Lawmakers should support state and local law enforcement to protect citizens, legal residents, and businesses from cartels, organized crime, and human-trafficking; increase penalties for trafficking minors;
- Lawmakers should require the Texas Attorney General to defend state and local law enforcement officers against actions brought by the US Department of Justice regarding the enforcement of federal and state laws pertaining to persons found to be in the country illegally;
- Make it a felony or high-fine misdemeanor for anyone who knowingly employs illegal workers. For those found guilty of hiring illegal workers, business licenses should be forfeited in addition to fines. Penalties must be severe enough to encourage the use of E-verify to determine individuals that may be classified as legal workers;
- Require state agencies dealing with Primary and Secondary Education, Higher Education, Health and Human Services, and Criminal Justice to track and report the cost of undocumented alien residents; the legislature should report that cost to the taxpayers and to all Texas US Representatives and US Senators;
- Legal status should be required to get a state business or professional license;
- End the Texas Dream Act -- repeal in-state tuition breaks for foreign-born children of illegal aliens and file bill for a constitutional amendment that prohibits same;
- Codify & mandate eligibility for access to social services, including local government services, such as non-life threatening health care services under the state mandated indigent health care program;
- Close loopholes allowing illegal immigrants to collect unlimited, permanent welfare benefits through TANF (Temporary Aid to Needy Families) because of their children;
- Support streamlining the process to become a citizen of the United States. The current process is so mired in federal bureaucracy that it often takes more than a decade to complete the process. The Texas Legislature should encourage an affordable, streamlined process to replace the current system, but should never support amnesty.

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