Proposed Texas immigration law contains convenient loophole for ‘the help’

[trillium13 84]

Texas has long been a hotbed of controversy on immigration issues. And a proposed immigration bill in the Texas state House is sure to raise more than a few eyebrows. The bill would make hiring an "unauthorized alien" a crime punishable by up to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine, unless that is, they are hired to do household chores.

Yes, under the House Bill 2012 introduced by a tea party favorite state Rep. Debbie Riddle -- who's been saying for some time that she'd like to see Texas institute an Arizona-style immigration law -- hiring an undocumented maid, caretaker, lawnworker or any type of houseworker would be allowed. Why? As Texas state Rep. Aaron Pena, also a Republican, told CNN, without the exemption, "a large segment of the Texas population" would wind up in prison if the bill became law.

"When it comes to household employees or yard workers it is extremely common for Texans to hire people who are likely undocumented workers," Pena told the news giant. "It is so common it is overlooked."

Jon English, Rep. Riddle's chief of staff explained that the exemption was an attempt to avoid "stifling the economic engine" in Texas, which today is, somewhat ironically, celebrating its declaring independence from Mexico in 1836.

"Excepting household workers from a anti-immigration laws renders the law impotent and self-contradictory, just like the current U.S. immigration policy, of which it is almost a perfect microcosm," legal ethics writer Jack Marshall wrote on his blog. "It guarantees a measure without integrity that sends a mixed enforcement message and does nothing to stop the long-standing deplorable 'we don't want you but somebody has to do those menial jobs' attitude that has paralyzed our immigration policy for decades."

Rep. Riddle made headlines last year when she claimed unnamed FBI officials had told her that pregnant women from the Middle East were traveling to America as tourists to give birth, and then raising their children to be terrorists who could later enter the U.S. freely as citizens -- so-called "terror babies," a devious offshoot of "anchor babies." She became somewhat infamous on the web when she stumbled repeatedly in a CNN interview about the claims, complaining later that host Anderson Cooper's line of questioning was more intense than she had prepared for.

"They did not tell me you were going to grill me on specific information that I was not ready to give to you tonight," Riddle said when Cooper pressed her for more details. "They did not tell me that, sir."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20110302/ts_yblog_thelookout/proposed-texas-immigration-law-contains-convenient-loophole-for-the-help

[^_^ 5,021]

So what they're saying is they only want to go after illegals who take the jobs that Americans do want to do (like working in manufacturing) and illegals who engage in crime (obviously) and leave the rest alone.

[Dakine10 5,452]

"Excepting household workers from a anti-immigration laws renders the law impotent and self-contradictory, just like the current U.S. immigration policy, of which it is almost a perfect microcosm," legal ethics writer Jack Marshall wrote on his blog. "It guarantees a measure without integrity that sends a mixed enforcement message and does nothing to stop the long-standing deplorable 'we don't want you but somebody has to do those menial jobs' attitude that has paralyzed our immigration policy for decades."

[mawilson 2,133]

Why would you let an illegal alien into your home? If they steal your shіt and disappear, you wouldn't even know their name.

[luckytxn 2,265]

Terror babies?

[^_^ 5,021]

Terror babies?

[mawilson 2,133]

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

We shall now refer to Texas as the official Nanny state. Them being so special there and all...

[^_^ 5,021]

The day can't be far when they sell that outfit at Babys R Us.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

The day can't be far when they sell that outfit at Babys R Us.

Halloween will be here again before you know it.

[luckytxn 2,265]

Wow. This is not a good thing.

[peejay 327]

I read a similar story in the Houston Chronicle about this proposed law, but it was a bit more balanced than this hack job on Republican legislator Debbie Riddle. Not that the Houston Chronicle isn't the illegal alien cheerleading rag it is, but it did give out a few more details that Yahoo failed to mention.

The reason for the exemption was that apparently E-Verify is not available for private individuals. It's not that private individuals would be given a green light to hire illegal aliens, but they would be exempted from legal sanctions if they unknowingly hired an illegal alien. How can you punish someone when they don't have the tools to comply with the law?

This is a far cry from what the Yahoo article has accused Congresswoman Riddle of. The devil is in the details and how the media spins it. Like I said...this is an obvious hack job.

[TBoneTX 47,323]

I wouldn't insult a dead fish by wrapping it in the Houston Chronicle, no man.

[luckytxn 2,265]

I wouldn't insult a dead fish by wrapping it in the Houston Chronicle, no man.

I agree. Even a few decades ago when I was a paperboy for them they sucked and the Houston Post sucked even more.

[Dan and Judy 614]

I refuse to fire my maids.