Texas Issue Alert – HB 2757 by Rep. Aaron Pena

HB 2757 (Pena) - “Relating to the establishment of the Texas Commission on Immigration and Migration and a migrant worker visa pilot project.”

It is important for you to weigh-in on the immigration debate. The state must seek solutions to manage immigration and our migrant workforce because the federal government has failed to do so. HB 2757 is a good first step and will be heard by the House State Affairs Committee in Today, March 30, 2011 upon adjournment of session. We encourage you to learn more and let your voice be heard.

DETAILS:

HB 2757 will create the Texas Commission on Immigration and Migration to monitor immigration in this state and look for solutions to deal with migration of workers.

HB 2757 provides that businesses in Texas would be critical in identifying needs and would be necessary to participate in the program. An advisory committee would be created to study the process and results of the program.

HB 2757 will provide for a pilot program to explore the feasibility of creating a Texas guest-worker visa, which would be crafted under current federal worker visa guidelines by granting authority to the governor to partner with a Mexican state to identify and qualify potential workers.

BACKGROUND:

Like many states across the nation, immigration has become a key issue in the state of Texas, with over 100 bills filed aimed at reform. Constituents who are voicing their concerns and a federal government that has been unable to pass comprehensive reforms have driven the movement in the states. In recent months the states have begun to address immigration in absence of federal reform.

A comprehensive state reform bill would need to address three pillars – tougher enforcement, a guest worker program, fines and worker permits – in order to be beneficial. Several states have passed reform bills and the most recent bill passed in Utah contains these elements.

KEY FACTS:

• HB 2757 would create a bi-partisan commission to study Immigration and Migration policies and opportunities for Texas and conduct hearings to involve the public in developing solutions.
• HB 2757 would charge the Immigration Commission to develop a comprehensive plan to deal with our immigration and migration challenges in Texas.
• HB 2757 would empower the Governor to work directly with Mexico to negotiate a migrant worker visa pilot project to regulate and control the migrant workforce in Texas.

TAKE ACTION:

HB 2757 will be heard TODAY (March 30, 2011) in House State Affairs Committee. Please contact the House State Affairs Committee and Represenative Pena to voice your opinion on this important issue.

House State Affairs Committee
512-463-0814 (phone)

Representative Aaron Pena
512-463-0426 (phone)

Members House State Affairs Committee:
Cook / Chairman; Menedez /Vice-Chairman
Craddick, Frullo, Gallego, Geren, Harless, Hildebran,
Huberty, Olivera, Smithee, Solomons, Turner

(To contact any of the above committee members, please visit www.house.state.tx.us to get information)

Remember—your voice is a vital part of our state's discussion about immigration. Please take action on this issue today. Thank you.