Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott opposes federal government on many fronts

Early this year, Attorney General Greg Abbott asked a federal appeals court to toss out the Environmental Protection Agency's finding that greenhouse gases threaten the environment.

He followed in March by adding Texas to a 20-state lawsuit challenging President Barack Obama's health care overhaul and then made a cable news splash by scolding Obama over his border policies after bullets fired from Mexico punched into the El Paso City Hall in June.

July was a busy month in Republican Abbott's growing opposition to Democratic-run Washington. The state's chief legal officer sued the EPA to preserve Texas' clean air regulations, joined a legal brief supporting Arizona's immigration law and opposed a pro-union measure championed by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

The anti-Washington theme of Gov. Rick Perry's campaign may have captured more attention, but it has been Abbott's challenges that have put Texas in direct confrontation with Obama, Congress and Democratic priorities — and more of the same is likely.

"Texas' actions of suing and challenging the federal government will stop as soon as the federal government stops overreaching and violating the Constitution and laws," said Abbott, who accuses national Democrats of repeatedly limiting individual liberty and violating state sovereignty under the 10th Amendment.

Abbott's next step might be to challenge the Obama administration's latest moratorium on deep-water oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. "We're concerned" about the drilling ban, which is not set to expire until Nov. 30, he said. "We're looking into it."

Abbott's war on Washington has become the centerpiece of his re-election effort, right down to a campaign logo that features the unofficial symbol of the tea party movement — a coiled rattlesnake below the phrase "Don't tread on me," with the fang-brandishing serpent wrapped around the letter A.

His Democratic opponent, Barbara Ann Radnofsky, said Abbott is picking fights that benefit his political career instead of Texans — ignoring legitimate problems and diverting limited state resources into "loser litigation."

What's worse, Radnofsky said, Abbott is attacking initiatives that benefit Texans, such as increased access to health care and limits on air pollution.

"I believe this work by AG Abbott involves the misuse of the very massive legal powers of his office," said Radnofsky, who has 30 years of experience as a lawyer. "What's good for Texas isn't a bunch of partisan political posturing."

The Texas attorney general oversees a vast, powerful agency that represents the state in litigation, enforces consumer protection and open government laws and collects court-ordered child support. With investigators and almost 700 lawyers, the agency also plays a key criminal justice role.

But the office is also political, filled by candidates who promote their philosophical and partisan priorities when campaigning for the next four-year term.

There is no mistaking Abbott's perspective in office. Websites for his agency and campaign tout Abbott's U.S. Supreme Court victory that kept a Ten Commandments monument displayed at the Texas Capitol, as well as his work defending the state's ban on same-sex marriage and laws protecting the unborn.

Last month, Abbott and seven attorneys general joined a legal brief by Michigan Attorney General Michael Cox, who argued that Arizona's immigration law did not tread on federal powers because state law officers could already inquire into a person's immigration status.

Abbott also sent a letter imploring U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, to oppose a measure that would extend collective bargaining rights to public safety employees. The act would force "a federal takeover" of the state's relationship with its employees, he wrote.

But Abbott, in office since 2003, denies that his forays into hot-button issues such as health care, immigration and environmental regulation cross the line into political opportunism.

"I'm not the catalyst here. We are responding to a once-in-a-lifetime expansion of the federal government in ways that violate the Constitution," he said.

Abbott said his legal opposition revolves around his belief that Washington has exceeded its authority, infringed on individual rights and engaged in economy-stifling over-regulation.

Congress passed the health care reform bill — which became law in March — under its broad powers to regulate interstate commerce as provided by the U.S. Constitution.

posted by Selome Getachew

Texas city OKs anti-immigration measure

Updated 11/14/2006 8:04 AM ET E-mail | Save | Print |

Enlarge By Brian Harkin, Getty Images Luke Villarreal, left, argues immigration policy with Jane Patterson outside of city hall Nov.13 in Farmers Branch, Texas. FARMERS BRANCH, Texas (AP) — This Dallas suburb became the first Texas city to pass tough anti-immigration measures, prompting fears they could lead to sanctioned discrimination and racism. City Council members unanimously approved fines for landlords who rent to illegal immigrants, making English the city's official language and allowing local authorities to screen suspects in police custody to check their immigration status. The council made the series of 6-0 votes without discussion Monday night and took comment from the public afterward. A proposal to penalize businesses that employ undocumented workers was not voted on during the meeting. Hundreds of opponents of the ordinances gathered in the City Hall lobby and a parking lot outside, waving American flags and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in English before the votes were taken. Inside, supporters clapped as the votes were tallied in favor of the measures and later thanked council members for their action. Attorneys with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, a civil rights advocacy group, told council members before the vote that the proposals could violate federal housing laws preventing discrimination and the First Amendment. One of the ordinances would force untrained business owners and landlords to evaluate a wide array of immigration documents to determine if the person carrying them is legally in the country, said Marisol L. Perez, a defense fund staff attorney. "It puts the landlord in a very difficult position. You're putting them in the shoes of an immigration officer," Perez said. The group said it would evaluate the measures to determine their legality. "We passed this expecting to be sued," council member Tim O'Hare said after the vote. Since 1970, Farmers Branch has changed from a small, predominantly white bedroom community with a declining population to a city of almost 28,000 people, about 37% of them Hispanic, according to the census. It also is home to more than 80 corporate headquarters and more than 2,600 small and midsize firms, many of them minority-owned. "They're afraid that Farmers Branch is becoming Hispanic," said Christopher McGuire, a resident of the city and spokesman for a group called United Farmers Branch. "It's going to happen, and that's not a bad thing." More than 50 municipalities nationwide have considered, passed or rejected similar laws, but until now that trend hasn't been matched in the Lone Star State. A vote this year in Hazleton, Pa., approved fining landlords who rent to illegal immigrants, denying business permits to companies that employ them and requiring tenants to register and pay for a rental permit. However, a federal judge temporarily blocked enforcement of the Hazleton ordinance while he considers a lawsuit against the town by the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund, the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups. Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or re distributed. Posted by Selome Getachew

Texas town OKs anti-immigration measures

FARMERS BRANCH, Texas (AP) — Leaders of this Dallas suburb unanimously approved tough new anti-immigration measures Monday evening, including one that makes English the official language. In a series of 6-0 votes, the city council also approved fines for landlords that deal with illegal immigrants, and decided to allow local authorities to screen suspects in police custody to see whether they are in the country illegally. With the votes, the city became the first municipality in Texas to enact such strong anti-immigrant laws. Such ordinances have troubled many people in the state, where many Latino families can trace their roots to the era before statehood. More than 50 municipalities nationwide have considered, passed or rejected similar laws. In a packed room in City Hall, people clapped as the votes were tallied in favor of the measures. In a parking lot outside, hundreds of protesters against the rules hoisted U.S. flags and sang the Pledge of Allegiance in English before the votes were taken. The vote came after council members emerged from an all-day closed meeting with the city attorney where they discussed the legal ramifications of the proposals. Opponents submitted an 80-signature petition to the mayor's office Monday. "It's very much against the very fiber of this nation," said Mike Ghouse, a home builder with a group called Foundation for Pluralism. Attorneys with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund met with the city council during the closed meeting. Afterward, they said they had told council members the proposals, if approved, could violate federal law. The rules could force untrained business owners and landlords to evaluate a wide array of immigration documents to determine whether the person carrying them is legally in the country, said Marisol Perez, a staff attorney for the group. "You're putting them in the shoes of an immigration officer," she said she told council members. The local debate over illegal immigration began in August and spawned demonstrations by both sides. Supporters say the ordinances are necessary because the federal government has failed to address problems tied to illegal immigration. But critics argued the proposals could lead to sanctioned discrimination and racism. Since 1970, Farmers Branch has changed from a small, predominantly white bedroom community with a declining population to a city of almost 28,000 people, about 37% of them Hispanic, according to the census. It also is home to more than 80 corporate headquarters and more than 2,600 small and midsize firms, many of them minority-owned. The proposals follow a vote this year in Hazleton, Pa., to fine landlords who rent to illegal immigrants, deny business permits to companies that employ them and require tenants to register and pay for a rental permit. However, a federal judge temporarily blocked enforcement of the Hazleton ordinance while he considers a lawsuit against the town by civil and immigrant rights groups. Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Please click here to read more. Posted by Selome Getachew

House OKs Funds For More Agents, Drones On Border

House lawmakers approved $600 million in funds Tuesday to deploy 1,200 National Guard troops to the border.

The House passed the bill by voice vote after brief debate, and the Senate passed an identical bill last week. But senators must act again, for technical reasons, before sending the bill to President Obama for his signature.

Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, said leaders hope they can give the bill final passage by the end of the week, though the full Senate is not in session.

The bill would offset its costs by raising fees on foreign-based personnel companies that use U.S. visa programs to bring skilled workers to the United States. These include the popular H-1B visa program. India says higher fees would discriminate against its companies and workers.

The bill includes $176 million for 1,000 new border patrol agents to form a strike force to be deployed at critical areas, $89 million for an additional 500 customs and immigration personnel, and $32 million to deploy unmanned aerial vehicles or drones. It also provides $196 million for the Justice Department to bolster its forces of U.S. marshals and FBI, DEA and ATF agents along the border.

Congress and the White House felt a greater urgency to act on border security after Arizona passed a law directing its law enforcement officers to be more aggressive in seeking out illegal immigrants. A federal judge struck down the law's main provisions, but many voters throughout the country favor crackdowns on illegal immigration.

Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ) asked the Senate to move quickly. She said it's time for the federal government "to stop letting us down and start getting the job done" on tighter border security.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry hand-delivered Monday a letter to the president's aides, asking for 1,000 National Guard troops in his state alone.

Getting tougher on border security is one of the few issues that both parties agree on in this highly charged election season. But lawmakers remain deeply divided over a more comprehensive approach to the illegal immigration problem, and it's unclear whether Congress will go beyond border-tightening efforts.

The Obama administration welcomed the House vote, but White House spokesman Bill Burton acknowledged it won't satisfy those who want a bigger border crackdown.

"There's likely nothing the president's going to do that is going to silence all the critics when it comes to the border," Burton said. "But the president has put more assets on the border than have ever been there before."

Material from The Associated Press was used in this report

House Immigration Bill; More Resources, but Still No Reform

The House passed a border security bill, today, that could be seen as a rare moment of bipartisan compromise in a highly charged election season, but few lawmakers seemed to look at it that way. The measure passed on a voice vote with no debate, but Republicans didn't like being called back from their summer break, mainly for a vote on a different bill to avoid teacher layoffs. Kentucky Congressman Harold Rogers(R) said, "this bill won't take effect until next year. Why are we here?" Some Republican lawmakers felt the border security bill was added to give Democrats political cover. California Congressman Jerry Lewis (R) said "this bill is only on the floor to allow Democrats to claim they care about border security."

Democrats disagreed. Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar (D) said "the threat is real and we need to take action today." Fellow Texan Sheila Jackson Lee (D) said, "It is relevant to do this today. But I wish my friends as well would stop blocking us from looking holistically at real comprehensive immigration reform."

The bill was also criticized by people who felt it didn't go far enough. Texas Congressman Ciro Rodriguez(D), whose 23rd district has the longest U.S. border with Mexico (785 miles), wanted something larger than the $600 million measure. And Mary Moreno, of the Center for Community Change, feels Democrats may have given away a bargaining chip in the false hope of getting Republican support for comprehensive immigration reform. "They said that if this obstacle was removed that they would actually come to the table and talk about immigration reform," Moreno said, adding "well now we're going to see if it actually happens."The $600 million measure provides money for 1,500 more agents on the Mexican border and new facilities for them. It also contains funding to beef up the forces of U.S. marshals, and FBI, DEA and ATF agents on the border. There is money for two unmanned surveillance planes and for better communications equipment.

The bill is paid for by a tax on some companies that bring highly skilled workers to this country, using H-1B visas. It would affect those companies that import more than half of their staff. Supporters say it will encourage hiring Americans for some of those positions but India says the higher fees will discriminate against its workers.

The House measure mirrors a Senate passed bill, leading Republican Senators John McCain, R-Ariz., and Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., to accuse House Democrats of trying to steal the credit. Actually, the H-1B tax provision fell under a House rule requiring revenue raising measure to originate in the House. The Senate has to pass it again, however, and because of their rules, may be able to do so, by unanimous consent and without more than a couple senators actually returning to Washington.

Read more here

Posted By Selome

Illegal immigration grenade: 60K Texas anchor babies get U.S. citizenship every year

DALLAS ^__"They're pulling the pin on the immigration grenade,"says Rep. Rafael Anchía, D-Dallas, speaking of Republicans who are pushing for changes to the 14th Amendment that provides automatic citizenship to any baby born in America.

Shocking Texas statistics:

• A population of an estimated 1.5 million illegal immigrants
• 60 - 65,000 babies born each year in Texas are given automatic birthright citizenship

Based on those statistics, the explosion that rocks the American immigration debate may originate from Dallas, Texas, home to Parkland Memorial Hospital.

Anchor babies overwhelming Dallas:

"Last year at Parkland, 11,071 babies were born to women who were noncitizens - about 74 percent of total deliveries. Most of these women are believed to be in the country illegally." The Dallas Morning News

"In 2004, according to the article, the cost was $70.7 million. Also needless to say, the impact of the birth by illegal alien mothers at such high levels year after year is having a dramatic impact on the demography of Dallas. It is radically increasing income disparity, representing a rising danger to social order, as well as contributing to rapidly rising welfare costs." (Source: Center for Immigration Studies)

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Illegal immigration: Ron Paul 's solution is as easy as 1-2-3

Ron Paul, is known for his style - controversial -and his 1-2-3 step solution to illegal immigration is an example of Paul's notoriety for going all-for-nothing. Whether one agrees Ron's solution is the cure or considers Paul mean-spirited and over-the-top ~ would it work?

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Preventing automatic citizenship for babies born to illegal immigrants in Texas:

"They're violating our law, and we're giving their children the benefit of U.S. citizenship," said state Rep. Leo Berman, R-Tyler, whose 2009 bill in the Legislature would have challenged the birthright of immigrant children.That bill died in committee, although Berman has vowed to file another version next year that would prohibit the state from issuing birth certificates to the children of "illegal aliens." "I've checked the Congressional Record for when the 14th Amendment was written, and the author was quoted as saying that it did not apply to foreigners," he said. "There's no question in my mind about it." The

You can find the rest of the article here

Posted by Selome Getachew

Secure Communities immigration program spreads at border and in Texas

The Department of Homeland Security said today that its Secure Communities program is now in use at all 25 border counties. The jail screening program links local government computers with two federal databases on criminal records and "immigration encounters" with Homeland Security.

The program's been spreading fast around the country this year, and nearly three-fourths of Texas counties are now using it, said a Dallas spokesman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement today. ICE is an agency within the sprawling Homeland Security Department. Dallas County, Farmers Branch and Irving are a few of the many jurisdictions in this region using the program.

Today, three groups suing the federal government for more disclosure on how the program works said many of those picked up under the program don't have criminal records. As for those who have committed civil offenses under the federal Immigration and Naturalization Act, one attorney said usage of the program by local law enforcement agencies should be stopped because it poisons community relations for local police in immigrant communities.

Here's more from the federal government and more on the attorneycomplaints.

Here's my story on Secure Communities from two Sundays past.

posted by Selome Getachew