Illegal immigration has always been a controversial topic in Texas. Recently the Texas legislature have been deciding whether or not to approve Senate Bill 9, which will allow Texas law enforcement to ask for someone's immigration status after they are detained. Advocates of both sides of this issue have come forth to present their opinions during the recent Senate committee hearing. A Texas Senator states that he felt disrespected when a man, Antolin Aguirre, of the Austin Immigrant Rights Coalition made a testimony against SB 9 in Spanish. During a Capital rally, the co-founder of Women on the Wall, Rebecca Forest states her opinions of why Texas legislation cannot effectively enforce immigration laws. This commentary from the Austin American Statesmen editorial board portray that there is still intolerance towards Hispanics in Texas.
Austin American Statesmen (AAS) is clearly biased in this situation. In its commentary "Curb the intolerance, por favor" shows Texas Senator Chris Harris being offended by Aguirre testifying in Spanish against SB 9. AAS says Sen. Harris' feeling of being disrespected is unreasonable because there is no law stating that one must speak English but there is a law protecting the freedom of speech. This logic makes perfect sense. There was a translator provided to translate Aguirre's Spanish. If Aguirre feels more confortable speaking Spanish, it is his right to be able to speak Spanish. I can also understand why Sen. Harris was confused as to why Aguirre spoke in Spanish when Aguirre knows English; however there was a translator present to immediately translate Aguirre's testimony to English and the Bill of Rights protects Aguirre's freedom of speech.
On the other side of the issue, co-founder of Women of the Wall, Rebecca Forest states her frustration of the lack of enforcement of Texas immigration laws. The reason for this, according to Forest, is that the Texas legislature consists of too many Hispanics. AAS portrays Forest as being intolerant towards Hispanics. Based on Forest's statements, I would have to agree with AAS. When was there ever a limit of how many Hispanics or any other race that can be in Texas legislation? Hispanics have become the primary race in the Texas population. It seems accurate that because Hispanics have become the majority in Texas, there is a majority of Hispanics in Texas legislation. Based on Forest's statements, Forest seems like she wants to change our whole government setup as a republic democracy. Clearly there are many Hispanics in legislation because that is what Texans want. Even though I don't agree with Forest's idea about Texas legislation, I do agree that there needs to be a stricter enforcement of immigration laws. It is unfair that illegal immigrants can come to our country and take all the benefits of this country without paying taxes. People living in a country must abide by the laws of that country. Texans may see this as a minor problem because illegal immigrants are just pursuing the "American Dream" and providing for their family, but why can't they do it legally? The process of gaining a green card or citizenship is a very long grueling process, but not everything in life is easy.
Commentary section: Austin American Statesmen Editorial Board- "Curb the intolerance, por favor"
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