Unauthorized Immigrant Population: National and State Trends, 2010

The Pew Hispanic Center (PHC) released the annual report, “Unauthorized Immigrant Population: National and State Trends, 2010” in February 2011.  The report highlights demographic estimates and trends of the unauthorized immigrant population as well as the unauthorized labor force, both nationally and on the individual state levels.

The estimate for unauthorized immigrants living in the United States was reported as 11.2 million for 2010. This is more than triple the estimate for 1990 (3.5 million). While unauthorized immigration flows have decreased in some states, PHC reports a statistically significant increase in Texas from approximately 1.5 million in 2007 to 1.8 million in 2010. Texas has the second largest population of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S.

According the Pew Research Center website, The Pew Hispanic Center is part of a nonpartisan “fact tank” based in Washington, D.C. that seeks to improve the public understanding of the diverse Hispanic population in the U.S. and to track Latino’s growing impact on the nation. All of the center’s reports are available at www.pewhispanic.org

House Bill 1202

On Tuesday, March 1, 2011 HR Debbie Riddle read for the first time, House Bill 1202, to State Affairs of the Legislature of the State of Texas. The bill relates to, “The creation of the offense of employing or contracting with an unauthorized alien.”

According to the text of the bill, “A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly: (1) employs an unauthorized alien; (2) contracts for the performance of labor or other work with an unauthorized alien or; (3) contracts or subcontracts for the performance of labor or other work with another person the actor knows will employ or contract with an unauthorized alien to perform labor or other work under the contract or subcontract.”

If passed, this act will be effective September 1, 2011. As of 04/13/2011 the bill has been left pending in the House.

To employers in Texas, you’ll be out of luck accessing cheap, under-the-table labor, if this bill passes (or so it would appear). However there is an exception for those who employ an unauthorized immigrant to perform work, “Exclusively or primarily at a single-family residence”.  Basically the maids and nannies are safe!

Bravo Texas for making some efforts to start holding employers more accountable.  But is Texas really prepared to cut off an estimated 9% of their workforce?

Bill Tracking

Want to view a comprehensive list of the current bills dealing with immigration issues in the 82(R) Texas Legislative Session? The Texas Impact website offers a great resource that allows you to sort legislation by issue: http://texasimpact.org/bill-tracker

Texas Impact is a religious statewide grassroots network of advocates and educators. Established in 1973, this network is comprised of individuals, congregations and governing bodies of the Christian, Jewish and Islamic faiths.

Texas Public Policy Foundation on Immigration Policy

The Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) is a 501(c)3 non profit, non-partisan research institute. The Foundation’s mission is to “ promote and defend liberty, personal responsibility, and free enterprise in Texas and the nation by educating and affecting policymakers and the Texas public policy debate with academically sound research and outreach” (TPPF ).

On September 29, 2008, TPPF released an informative report on Immigration in Texas by Bill Peacock and Andrew Liu. Five talking points in the report include: 1) Why do People Immigrate, 2) Immigration, Citizenship, and Document Fraud, 3) Immigration and Welfare, 4) Immigration and the Economy, and 5) Immigration and Border Security. The report argues that immigration will continue as long as the quality of life in the United States exceeds that of other countries and if our welfare programs are not reformed. The report can be read here: http://www.texaspolicy.com/pdf/2008-II-Immigration-final.pdf.

On September 2009, TPPF released a report on the Burden of Immigration Laws on Businesses by Marc Levin. The report discusses the importance of distinguishing the difference between criminal and civil violations involving hiring immigrants. The report made the following suggestions: not prosecuting business owners and landlords who were unaware of immigration status, not have employers face racketeering lawsuits for having hired illegal immigrants, refraining from enacting immigration laws that go beyond federal law, raising the cap on visas for highly skilled workers, and outsourcing guest worker programs to private contractors. The report can be read here: http://www.texaspolicy.com/pdf/2009-09-PP23-immigration-ml.pdf.

Texas Lawmakers Prepare for Sanctuary City Battle

Julian Aguilar from The Texas Tribune reported on HB 12 in an article published on March 30, 2011.

HB 12 by Carrolton Republican Burt Solomons has advanced the furthest of all the immigration bills making it out of the State Affairs Committee. This bill would prohibit cities, counties, and other governmental entities from adopting a policy that prevents law enforcement from asking about a person’s immigration statues.

Governor Perry has stated he wants law enforcement to have the option to inquire about immigration status. He claims this is different from mandating inquiring immigration status, since it only gives law enforcement the power to “use discretion.”

The article suggests this bill would cost local governments, because more personnel and more jail space would be needed.

The original bill included school district employees, which led Democrats to protest how the policy would affect education. Under both state and federal constitutions schools must educate students regardless of their status. The modified bill excludes school district, charter school, and junior college employees, except for campus police.

The article can be found here: http://www.texastribune.org/texas-legislature/82nd-legislative-session/texas-lawmakers-prepare-for-sanctuary-city-battle/.

"Si Se Puede"- Cesar Chavez March

 

On March 27, 2011, the 10th annual Cesar Chavez march took place in downtown Austin, TX. The event was organized by PODER (People Organized in Defense of Earth’s Resources), along with several social justice and student groups including the Hispanic Student Association of St. Edward’s University and Austin Immigrant Rights Coalition. The march began at the Terrazas Library on E. Cesar Chavez Street and ended at the Austin City Hall. There were hundreds in attendance, consisting of a mix of students, young children and adults. 

Although the march was led in honor and remembrance of Cesar Chavez, other current issues were addressed including immigrant and refugee rights, human rights, as well as House Bills 505 and 1202.  I parked my car at the Capitol Building and walked down South Congress to meet the group at Cesar Chavez and Nueces. Protesters carried signs that read, “Si, Se Puede”- a famous cheer of Cesar Chavez during his historical demonstrations for civil rights and worker’s rights in Texas and throughout the U.S. After about 1.5 miles of marching, with police escort and all- the group arrived to the Capitol steps where representatives from the sponsoring agencies spoke. There was also a presentation of Mexican folk dance and a musical performances.

Legislation discussed at the event included HB 505 which proposes to do away with the state holiday commemorating Cesar Chavez birthday as well as HB 1202 which seeks to make it a crime punishable of up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment for knowingly employing an undocumented immigrant in TX. Students also spoke out in support of the DREAM ACT. Personal student testimonies spoke against the detention of immigrant students and their lack of access to higher education in the U.S.  The message of the day-- speak up! Call your legislators! I was so impressed and moved by the power in each speaker’s presentation at the Capitol. I was empowered with new knowledge and had the opportunity to put faces to names for some of the main leaders nonprofit organizations associated with immigrant rights here in Austin. The event appeared to be extremely well organized. There were designated event leaders in Cesar Chavez shirts who directed crowds and passed out water and snacks. This event was a true testament of the voice PODER has established in the Austin community. 

Political Cartoons

Find more immigration political cartoons at http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/immigration/ig/Immigration-Cartoons