Texas House Passes ‘Sanctuary Cities’ Bill

AP

5/10/2011

After an emotional and sometimes racially explosive debate, the Texas House passed a bill Monday night that would allow local police officers to help enforce federal immigration laws — even if their supervisors don’t want them to.

The House approved the measure 100-47 after Republicans moved to cut off all debate on the issue, using used a parliamentary maneuver that allows the majority to ram through bills. The bill faces a final procedural hurdle in the house before it can move to the Senate.

Republicans have been anxious to approve the legislation to show their conservative backers they are serious about cracking down on illegal immigration. The so-called “sanctuary cities” bill, declared an emergency legislative item by Republican Gov. Rick Perry, would give most police officers the right to question detained people about their immigration status. Their bosses would be prevented from adopting policies that prohibit rank-and-file officers from asking about it.

And now… the rest of the story. …..