Updated May 6, 2011: The Texas Catholic Conference is issuing the following floor letter to the Texas House:

Texas Catholic Bishops Oppose House Passage of HB 12

Our nation’s immigration system is flawed and results in suffering not only within our borders, but also throughout the rest of the world.  The Catholic Bishops of Texas have petitioned the legislature to focus immigration legislation on healing Texas communities and affirming the rights and inherent worth of every person.

We oppose HB 12, the so called “sanctuary city” bill, because it is not the role of local government to evaluate the immigration status of individuals. This bill threatens public safety and endangers the civil and constitutional rights of Texas residents. It is an expensive way to make our cities less safe and our schools less safe.

Simply put, this is a bill that is bad for Texas and for all immigrants. In addition to our opposition to the bill, we oppose the addition of any further amendments that are insensitive to the needs of Texas communities. The Texas Bishops ask the House to:

Oppose the Following Floor Amendments:

• pg. 63, by Riddle, Creates a criminal trespass for anyone not in the U.S. legally

Support the Following Floor Amendments:

• pg. 3, by Anchia, Would allow exemption from enforcement if adversely affects local agency's ability to do its job
• pg. 4, by Martinez Fischer, Municipalities may opt out of enforcing bill with a three-fourths vote of the governing body
• pg. 8, by Anchia, Exempts hospital districts
• pg. 11, by Aliseda, Exempts hospitals or hospital districts
• pg. 12, by Martinez Fischer, Exempts emergency services, health services or hospital districts
• pg. 16, by McLendon, Exempts to school districts, charter schools or community colleges
• pg. 17, by Hochberg , Exempts officers employed by school districts, charter schools and community colleges
• pg. 18, by Lucio, Would not override current local policies that prohibit asking minors for status
• pg. 21, by Menedez, Would require someone to be trained and certified to enforce immigration laws by ICE
• pg. 22, by Alvarado, Requires that status checks be performed on someone arrested, not detained
• pg. 24, by All Members, Prohibits racial profiling
• pg. 26 Martinez Fischer, Exempts emergency services, hospital services or hospital districts
• pg.45, by Farrar, Prevents the investigation of a victim or a witness to a crime
• pg. 60, by Alonzo, Prohibits landlords from investigating immigration status
• pg. 62, by Walle, Establishes a training program for officers on federal law

We urge Texas legislators to reject policies that could encourage discrimination, co-opt local law enforcement, or scapegoat immigrants. Please oppose HB 12.