ACTION ALERT: Anti-Sanctuary Bill

One More Vote Needed to Pass Anti-Sanctuary City Bill in State Senate

All Republican Senators are on Board; Contact Democratic Senators Only


This is a special message for NumbersUSA members in Texas.

Dear Texas friends,

SB 358, which would prohibit local government "sanctuary city" policies that protect illegal aliens, needs just one more vote to pass the Texas State Senate. The group Immigration Reform Coalition of Texas (IRCOT) is requesting calls and emails to all Democratic Senators asking them to vote YES on SB 358 when it reaches the floor. All Republican Senators have committed to vote for the bill.

Talking points are included farther below. The web page for each Senator includes an email form. To access those pages, click on the Senator’s name below or on the following Senate web page: http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/Members.htm

Democratic Senators to Contact
Davis, Wendy (512) 463-0110
Ellis, Rodney (512) 463-0113
Gallegos, Mario, Jr. (512) 463-0106
Hinojosa, Juan "Chuy" (512) 463-0120
Lucio, Eddie, Jr. (512) 463-0127
Shapleigh, Eliot (512) 463-0129
Uresti, Carlos (512) 463-0119
Van de Putte, Leticia (512) 463-0126
Watson, Kirk (512) 463-0114
West, Royce (512) 463-0123
Whitmire, John (512) 463-0115
Zaffirini, Judith (512) 463-0121

Also, please contact House Speaker Joe Straus, Lt. Governor David Dewhurst, and Governor Rick Perry to convey that you expect them to do everything possible to get SB 358 passed this session.

Speaker Joe Straus
Phone: (512) 463-1064
E-mail: Joe.Straus@house.state.tx.us

Lt. Governor David Dewhurst
Phone: (512) 463-0001
E-mail form: ">http://www.ltgov.state.tx.us/contact.php

Governor Rick Perry
Phone: 1-800-843-5789 OR (512) 463-2000
E-mail Governor Perry

Talking Points for Democratic Senators
• Please vote YES on SB 358 and end the dangerous sanctuary city policies in Texas. Sanctuary city policies enable violent criminal illegal aliens to remain within our communities without fear of being detected or deported. Too many Texans (including Texas law enforcement officers) have been killed or seriously injured because of the sanctuary given to illegal aliens by city officials.
• Sanctuary policies are illegal under Federal law, but a number of local governments in Texas still maintain policies that forbid police from asking about a person's immigration status or informing Federal immigration authorities about the presence of illegal aliens. The resulting safe havens make it easier for illegal aliens, including criminal aliens, to live undetected in the United States. It is dangerous, expensive and counterproductive to keep recycling illegal aliens through our justice system.
• Texas has sanctuary policies that do not just allow, but actually encourage illegal alien presence and activity. When public assistance agencies are prevented from inquiring about an applicant's immigration status, benefits are distributed to ineligible illegal aliens. These outrageous sanctuary policies are displacing benefits for needy Americans. Taxpayers should no longer have to foot the bill for illegal-alien public benefits.
• 90% of the U.S. based MS-13 gang members are foreign-born illegal aliens. (per "Line in the Sand: Confronting the Threat on the SW Border," Majority Staff of the House Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Investigations; 2006 U.S. Congressional Texas Hearings)


Talking Points for Straus, Dewhurst and Perry
• I expect you to use the full powers of your office to ensure passage of SB 358, a bill that would end dangerous sanctuary city policies in Texas. These illegal policies enable violent criminal illegal aliens to remain within our communities without fear of being detected or deported. Too many Texans (including Texas law enforcement officers) have been killed or seriously injured because of the sanctuary given to illegal aliens by city officials.
• Texas has sanctuary policies that do not just allow, but actually encourage illegal alien presence and activity. When public assistance agencies are prevented from inquiring about an applicant's immigration status, benefits are distributed to ineligible illegal aliens. These outrageous sanctuary policies are displacing benefits for needy Americans. Taxpayers should no longer have to foot the bill for illegal-alien public benefits.
Special Note Regarding our April 6 Alert Concerning Illegal-Alien Renting Restrictions

NumbersUSA sent an alert on April 6 that asked for calls and emails to the House Calendar Committee and your own Representative in opposition to SB 1398, a bill that would prevent Farmers Branch and other Texas cities from imposing restrictions on those who rent to illegal aliens. The link we provided in that alert for looking up the name of your Representative was incorrect. The correct link is http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/welcome.php


We have gotten word that the House Calendar Committee is being inundated with calls. Please keep calling to ensure the defeat of SB 1398, an underhanded attempt to end Farmers Branch’s crackdown efforts.


Thank you in advance for your assistance!


Van Esser
Chief, Membership Services
Numbers USA
1601 N. Kent Street
Suite 1100
Arlington, VA 22209