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    Texas Representative Lambastes Legislators For ‘Prove Your Identification’ Bill

    Image Source: Mircea Moira / Shutterstock

    In recent times, conservative lawmakers in the United States have subjected the Latino populace to a significant amount of scrutiny. The unjust practices have pushed many individuals to their breaking point, including Democratic Texas Representative Armando Walle.

    The Texas legislature was deliberating on a fresh state bill that would authorize “local and state peace officers” to detain and deport individuals to Mexico if they suspected them of being present in the country unlawfully. Republican lawmakers abruptly concluded the discussion and passed the bill.

    Walle then implored his colleagues regarding how bills like this inflict harm on his community.

    Representative Walle conveyed that this novel bill is an assault on his community, impeding their unity.

    Following the Republicans’ move to curtail the debate on the bill, Walle voiced his grievances to his colleagues. In a impassioned discourse, Walle stated, “[We’re] being targeted on a daily basis. I’ve been sitting here listening to all of you. It angers me. None of you comprehend this nonsense, bro.”

    Walle made mention of his friend, Palestine Representative Cody Harris, who proposed reducing the debate duration.

    “You’re my friend, man, I adore you, but this damn well hurts. The things that happen on this floor hurt. I can’t hang out with my…” Walle said.

    He also hinted at the difficulties he will encounter when celebrating momentous family occasions with his loved ones.

    Walle continued, “I can’t drive my brother, my cousin. I can’t transport them anywhere, bro. I can’t attend a wedding; I can’t attend a baptism because my community is under attack. You don’t comprehend the consequences of your actions on our community.”

    “It deeply wounds us, bro, it wounds us…It wounds us to our very core, and you don’t understand that. You don’t inhabit our skin,” he asserted.

    The novel Texas statute exposes the Latino community to arbitrary “prove your identification” stops initiated by nearly anyone

    To the ACLU, the law known as the “Show Me Your Papers” law, which was signed by Governor Greg Abbott, grants almost anyone the authority to request evidence of residency from individuals they suspect are undocumented immigrants.

    According to Jennifer Canales-Pelaez, a policy attorney from Texas who strategizes for the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, the law is “ambiguous” and exposes Latinos to an “unrestricted period” of prejudice from those in their vicinity.

    The law confers the power to “peace officers” to halt, apprehend, and interrogate individuals about their immigration status. The ACLU clarifies that it empowers citizens to initiate investigations and prevents police chiefs and sheriffs from prohibiting individual officers from questioning anyone they legally apprehend. This could involve routine traffic stops or encounters with individuals going about their daily activities.

    Even college campuses and universities do not enjoy exemption from these provisions. There are clauses that enable college police to serve as an extension of ICE.

    Moreover, Canales-Pelaez asserts that the law lacks clarity regarding the logistics of deportations. It fails to specify the interrogation process or the location where it would transpire. Additionally, it offers no explanation as to how Mexico would respond if non-Mexicans were denied entry.

    In addition to this legislation, the Texas House of Representatives also approved another bill that enforces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years for human smuggling. A third bill designates $1.5 billion for the acquisition of land to build a border wall.

    Image Source: Mircea Moira / Shutterstock

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