My friend and colleague, XicanoPwr at Para Justicia y Libertad, writes about what some of us in the local pro-migrant have been thinking: The HPD search will set the tone for Houston’s immigration policy.
Few would argue against the deportation of felons who commit murder, rape or are violent gang members. However, the current rhetoric used in contemporary immigration is often compared to a hostile invasion. A wave of foreign labor captures US jobs in America itself, leaving burgeoning rates of unemployment, poverty and crime in its wake.
While supporters for 287(g) are quick to say that they are only “against” undocumented immigrants, the truth is local law enforcement forced to determine whether or not that person is in the country legally. It is estimated there are over 47 million Hispanics living in the United States. Of those, 8.5 million live in Texas. According to the Pew Hispanic Center, foreign-born account for 33% of the Hispanic population. Based on these numbers, approximately 67 percent of the entire Latino population of the Texas is native born. As for Houston, the city has the third-largest Hispanic population in the United States. Thus making it likely Latinos targeted by police for race-based immigration enforcement, would most likely to be living in the US legally.
Some of the fault for the anti-immigrant backlash lies with the media. While it is true sensationalized headlines attract people, but it also shapes how and what people think about an issue through the facts and opinions presented in a given story.
XP also provides some recommendation worth a read by our local policy makers at City Hall.
