The Monitor showed the task of those who were recently elected, and the incumbents, and the legislation that they must now work on passing on to the State Legislators. The elections down here in the Valley mainly kept the incumbents with one exception. Ortiz lost his seat and is currently demanding a recount.
Undaunted by this, however, the current legislators have moved forward and are starting to work on legislation to bring before State Legislators. The Monitor stated that “State Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg, who filed four bills Monday, said anti-immigration issues will be at the forefront of the state Legislature next year”[1] Among these bills, however, lies those with other priorities to people, such as Texans now being allowed to carry guns on boats, making it a crime for drug cartels to use road spikes to evade police, and other various topics.
With all these priorities in mind, the article goes on to cover the concerns that lie with most of the legislative staff of the Rio Grande Valley.
With all these priorities in mind, the article goes on to cover the concerns that lie with most of the legislative staff of the Rio Grande Valley.
“Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, filed a bill — similar to a controversial Arizona law — that would allow law enforcement officers to inquire about a suspicious person’s immigration status and make an arrest based on the answer. Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, filed a measure that would require all state and local governments and their contractors to use E-Verify — a joint program of the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration used to verify workers’ immigration status. In the Valley, state Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa filed four bills — including the measures that fight human smuggling and require restaurants to highlight nutrition content.”[2]
Comments: Since Republicans have the majority now in the House, it may be nearly impossible to pass a human smuggling law without arguments and delays. These potential fights may actually leave the border more vulnerable as attempts to filibuster (break) a long argument on why a law should or should not be passed usually end up in a no-vote or a delayed vote. Unless both Democrats and Republicans communicate quickly and effectively, there may be very little hope for legislation concerning human smuggling to be passed.
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