While President Obama visited El Paso yesterday to deliver lip service on the country's illegal immigration crisis, the Texas state legislature voted to take real action:
After hours of contentious and often emotional debate, the Texas House passed HB 12, the controversial "sanctuary cities" legislation, which would prohibit cities, counties and other governmental entities or special districts from adopting a policy that prevents law enforcement from asking persons lawfully detained or arrested if they are in the country legally. Entities not in compliance could risk losing state funds.The measure was passed on a 100 to 47 vote just before midnight.