State Rep. Carol Alvarado, District 145:
“I agree with today’s ruling by District Judge Susan Bolton, temporarily striking down the most controversial parts of Arizona’s anti-immigrant law. This injunction is precisely what the checks and balances system of our government is supposed to accomplish.
I hope today’s ruling serves as a clear indication that all legislators should join together to push for Federal Comprehensive Immigration Reform. It is time for Congress to step up and face the difficult decisions we sent them to Washington to make. Other states, particularly Texas, cannot afford to make the same knee-jerk reactionary laws as Arizona did.
We need Comprehensive Immigration Reform that includes strengthened border security, and a fair, reasonable and affordable pathway to citizenship. This is not an issue that can be solved by individual states creating a patchwork of laws – there must be a federal response to the broken immigration system.”
Joe Montemayor, candidate for State Rep.-District 127
“With over a quarter-century of experience as a federal immigration agent, I agree with the federal government when it states that immigration enforcement is their job. And I agree with Judge Susan Bolton’s ruling which states that local law enforcement would be overburdened by attempting to do the job of the federal government. Congress needs to do its job and enact Comprehensive Immigration Reform so that Texas can avoid debating frivolous and burdensome laws.
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and Gov. Jan Brewer have set a low standard for crime-fighting in Arizona: increasing crime rates, low-rate of felony warrant arrests–all because they choose to play politics, rather than keep constituents safe. Texas Gov. Rick Perry and his Republican legislators will lower the bar again by throwing money at the crime problem, rather than developing effective solutions such as increasing our human intelligence capabilities to take down crime and smuggling organizations.
I will fight to keep our families and neighborhoods safe.”
State Senator Leticia Van de Putte (San Antonio)
“I am pleased that U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton blocked the most egregious parts of Arizona’s new immigration law. We must secure our borders, but not at the risk of racial profiling and the deprivation of civil rights.
Now is the time for Washington to act on comprehensive immigration reform so that we can end this era of fearful ignorance.”
State Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer (Chair, MALC)
When Debbie and I were first elected to the Texas House of Representatives, we both placed our hands on the Bible and swore to uphold the Constitution. What’s changed, Debbie? Do you only abide by your oath of office when politically convenient?SB1070 does more harm than good and is a symbol of what can happen when people in power disregard the Constitution in order to play partisan games. Governor Perry doesn’t want SB1070 in Texas. Neither does Speaker Straus or the rest of Debbie’s party.It’s time to do the people’s business and not chase sound bites. Malicious, unconstitutional and fiscally irresponsible legislation, like SB 1070, is a waste of time and taxpayer dollars. In a time where the budget is $18 billion dollars light, we should be drafting legislation to solve real issues not chase our tails trying to get on Fox News.
State Rep. Armando Walle (District 140)
“Judge Bolton’s decision is a victory for opponents of S.B. 1070 who believe that it is wrong for states to highjack the federal government’s authority over immigration policy,” stated Representative Walle. “This is a crucial first step that goes a long way to protect residents of Arizona against discrimination and unfair treatment.”
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“Today’s decision is just the beginning of what will prove to be a lengthy and costly legal battle for the State of Arizona,” noted Rep. Walle. “The cost of litigation, in addition to the devastating economic impact similar legislation would have on Texas, is an important reminder that Texas should oppose any efforts to implement such unconstitutional and discriminatory policies in our state.”
State Rep. Ana Hernandez (District 143)
“I applaud Judge Bolton’s ruling to temporarily strike down provisions of SB 1070, which would have resulted in a huge infringement of people’s civil liberties in Arizona. It is my sincere hope that today’s ruling will dissuade proponents of similar legislation from pursuing the same type of legislation in Texas. The immigrant community makes a significant positive economic impact to our state. In 2006, the Texas Comptroller’s Office reported that undocumented immigrants produce $1.58 billion in state revenue.
Our federal immigration system is broken, but implementing Arizona type legislation is not the answer. We need comprehensive immigration reform.”
Mayor Annise Parker (Houston)
“It was a bad idea in Arizona and it would be a bad idea in Texas,” she said Wednesday, in response to questions about the Arizona immigration law.
State Rep. Garnet Coleman
“It creates a stereotype not of just immigrants that may be undocumented but clearly of tax-paying, hard-working, church-going Americans,” Coleman said.
“Growing up African-American, I know what it is like to be suspect because of how you look, as opposed to having done anything wrong,” added Coleman.
Boyd Richie, Texas Democratic Party Chairman
“The Court’s decision protects the right of every American citizen to go about their daily lives without being considered a suspect simply because of the way they look or speak.
“Although Judge Bolton’s ruling blocked the provisions that would have resulted in the harassment of Hispanic-American citizens, Republican politicians and right wing commentators will escalate their efforts to use the Arizona law as an election year wedge issue.
“We won’t pass real immigration reform so long as politicians like Rick Perry keep trying to have it both ways,openly supporting the Governor of Arizona and then repudiating the Arizona bill when speaking to Hispanics. The best interests of all Americans require leaders who will put politics aside, respect the rights of all citizens and work for a real solution.”
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