Stomp the people but leave the businesses alone

Posted on February 17th, 2007 by Dig ad veritas

MySA.com: Lawmaker pulls bill for employer sanctions

AUSTIN — A state lawmaker has withdrawn legislation to impose sanctions on employers who hire undocumented immigrants, saying he wanted to thank the state’s largest business organization for joining a Hispanic coalition in fighting what they call “anti-immigrant” bills in the Legislature.The Texas Association of Business joined the group of Hispanic groups in calling for immigration reform by Congress, not the Texas Legislature.

“The Texas Legislature should take no action with regard to immigration unless and until the U.S. Congress passes a law for comprehensive immigration reform,” TAB President Bill Hammond said.

“The federal government is perfectly capable of inflicting pain and suffering on business. We don’t believe the Texas Legislature needs to be piling on.”

State Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, said he’d filed House Bill 351 to impose sanctions on employers who hire undocumented immigrants. He said it was “in response” to bills that put sanctions on immigrants.

“As a symbol of our solidarity and cooperation, I’m withdrawing HB 351,” Anchia said.

How interesting. The sanctions would have been that businesses that employ undocumented workers would have been prohibited from receiving grants (free texas money) from the Texas Enterprise Fund. Good thing he is pulling it as a symbol of his solidarity with business. I know I am going to sleep better knowing that while our legislators may still pass HB 28 and 29 that both affect human beings that we won’t be sanctioning the businesses that hire those human beings.

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Filed under: HB 28, HB 29, House of Representatives, immigrants, immigration

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4 Responses to “Stomp the people but leave the businesses alone”

  1. University Update, on February 17th, 2007 at 7:15 am Said:

    Stomp the people but leave the businesses alone…

    …

  2. Michelle, on February 17th, 2007 at 7:02 pm Said:

    This is exactly what I thought when I first read about the Farmers Branch fiasco. There were three ordinances originally. They only passed two. The third one would have penalized business for hiring illegal immigrants. They tabled it. (I can’t seem to find my link to it just now, but I think I read it on the city’s website.

    I’m really glad I found your blog. I’m still having a look around, but it looks very interesting. Good work and thanks :)

    Michelle

  3. Dig ad veritas, on February 18th, 2007 at 11:08 am Said:

    Hi Michelle,
    You just have to love the irony that a government of the people, by the people is worried about stepping on the toes of business but doesn’t mind stepping on the people.

    I would love to see the wording of the ordinance they tabled. I will look for it but if you find it drop me a line.

  4. james, on February 21st, 2007 at 9:39 am Said:

    Great site. Keep going.

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