Texas Should Reject An Anti-immigration Law

After I heard rumors that Texas might implement an anti-immigration law, I started to research about the topic. The Texas state representative, Debbie Riddle, introduced HB 17 law and it is similar to the anti-immigration law in Arizona (SB 1070). The HB 17 is shorter and will make police officers stop suspect people to see if they are undocumented aliens, based on the officer’s own judgment. If a suspect does not have proper documentation to prove his or her status in this country, he or she will be detained and will be reported to the INS. This type of identification procedure is not going to work because the police officer does not have a proper training or have a clue how to differentiate between a documented immigrant and undocumented immigrant. They also don’t have a good system to store documentation. This law, I believe, will mostly affect the Hispanic community because they are the largest immigrant group in the U.S. Texas is known for its pro-business policies that attracts a lot of entrepreneurs and benefits the state and provides jobs for many Texans. The Hispanic community is the leading community of entrepreneurs in the U.S. and HB 17 will drive away these entrepreneurs because they are going to feel discriminated against with this type of law that persecutes their community. The last thing that Texas needs at this moment is to harm businesses.
Some people believe that undocumented immigrants come to the U.S just to take advantage of the benefits that the government offers but this is not true. These immigrants spend a lot of money buying groceries and clothing for their families. Texas relies on state sales taxes and these immigrants pay taxes every time they purchase something and that benefits the state’s economy.

My family and I had the privilege to obtain our resident cards via my mom’s family, but that is not the case for other immigrants. The main reason documented or undocumented immigrants come to the U.S is for better opportunities for them and their children. They are hard workers, persevering and self starters. Also most of the undocumented immigrants respect the law and try to stay out of trouble to keep their family united.

I am against a law that will discriminate against immigrants and will affect the Texan economy. In the state and in the country we need an immigration reform that promotes legalization for the thousands of hard working immigrants that are committed to respect the laws of this country and will contribute to the success for the U.S.

Texas Deficit

After reading a couple of my classmates’ blogs one caught my attention, it is Moderate with an Iron Fist blog. My classmate’s commentary titled “Unwanted Belief” is based on a very important issue that Texas will have a $25-30 billion dollar deficit in 2011. I think his intended audience is all Texas residents because this will affect everyone, working people, poor, students, etc. His commentary is very straight forward, a good explanation of the issue he is introducing and his solution for the problem. In his commentary he explains how different agencies have to cut their budget and that this will cause the loss of many jobs and will lead to a rise in unemployment. He also mentions how students will be affected, this part is very important for me because I receive financial aid. I rely on financial aid to pay for my education and next semester I will attend the University of Texas at Austin and I will need more financial aid. I believe I am not the only one in this situation and many others are worried about what will happen next year with the cuts the governments are planning to make. I agree with the author, “We need to raise taxes to help reduce at least half of our deficit as the [Legislature] finds alternative solutions to our current problem.” I don’t know if that’s the best solution to fix the problem but it sounds like a good start until government finds a better solution. I prefer to pay a little more taxes than face a problem like California is facing or worse than that.

Red-Light Cameras in Houston Yes, or No?

Election Day is here already, time to make decisions and demonstrate your civic engagement. All around the country people are expecting to make changes to their cities for the better. In one of the most populated cities in Texas, Houston, voters will be deciding whether to keep the red-light cameras in main intersections in Houston or not.

The proposition about the elimination of red-light cameras in Houston was proposed by the group “Citizens Against Red Light Cameras.” They claimed that the purpose of the red light camera program is to obtain money from drivers, and in addition, violates people’s right to privacy. They state that cameras don’t save lives instead it is just another way to give more traffic tickets. On the other side, the city of Houston argues that the program works and the fine of $75.00 is nothing compared to the $225.000 million that the region spends every year for damage, injuries and deaths from red-light wrecks. Many studies have showed a drop in collisions at intersections with cameras.

I have never driven in Houston because I think people don’t drive safely, but I do drive in Austin, because I feel safer. People need to drive to move around their city, because public transportation is inefficient compared to other states. Transportation collisions are a big issue in Texas. Houston is a heavily populated city the therefore problem is greater. I am in favor of keeping the red-light cameras in Houston because it will benefit the people of that city, and also contribute to reducing collisions, in addition people might feel safer driving. Red-light cameras work because it is logical. If people know that there is a camera by a light they will think twice to before running a red light because nobody wants to pay a traffic ticket. I believe that the program will help resolve the collisions caused by running red lights. I understand the arguments of the opposing group that is against the red-light camera program, but I think people prefer to be safe on the roads and a camera in an intersection will not interfere with their daily life. The other argument that they make that the program is another way that municipalities gain money, well everyone knows if you break laws there are consequences and one of these is paying a fine. I believe Texans want a safer roads and less crazy drivers running red lights. I support programs that punish irresponsible drivers that cause collisions because this can involve the death of innocent people.