Category Archives: La Migra

No, they won’t “cross swords” over this

Posted on August 10, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

A few days back, I blogged about how immigration reform is supposedly going to be a wedge issue for the GOP because evangelicals and business types support it. I took issue with a statement by Bill Hammond, the president of … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

The immigration wedge issue for the GOP

Posted on August 2, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I have three things to say about this story. Evangelical ministers in Texas and across the nation are splitting off from the hard right, declaring immigration reform is needed that includes a path to citizenship without first deporting millions of … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

So you say you’re concerned about the effect of undocumented immigration on employment

Posted on July 15, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s your chance to do something about it. There are two issues facing our nation–high unemployment and undocumented people in the workforce–that many Americans believe are related. Missing from the debate on both issues is an honest recognition that the … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra | Tagged , , | Comments Off on So you say you’re concerned about the effect of undocumented immigration on employment

Wasting our youth

Posted on July 2, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

This is just wrong. Thousands of high school graduates like Juan are discovering the dichotomy between a federal law that ensures their education and one that prevents them from using it. “I never saw myself as an immigrant,” said Juan, … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

The chiefs talk about Arizona

Posted on May 29, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

HPD Chief Charles McClelland was one of several police chiefs to go to Washington and talk with Attorney General Eric Holder about why Arizona’s immigration law would be harmful to them, and why the federal government needs to finish the … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on The chiefs talk about Arizona

Targeting Frito-Lay

Posted on May 22, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve talked about sporting events like the 2011 MLB All Star Game that are currently scheduled to be held in Arizona and of various ways that people who have some involvement with them have spoken out about Arizona’s “Show me … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra, Other sports | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Targeting Frito-Lay

Who can get health care in Williamson County

Posted on May 13, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

This is a bad idea. Williamson County commissioners have decided to stop paying health care costs for indigent adults and children who don’t have valid Social Security cards. County Judge Dan A. Gattis said last week that he wanted to … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Who can get health care in Williamson County

You tell ’em, Chuck

Posted on May 12, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Charles Barkley, speaking to ESPN’s Dan Patrick, talks sense about the Arizona “Show me your papers” law: DP: You’re a resident of Arizona, I’m curious if you think baseball should get involved with the immigration law. Do you like that … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Interview with Linda Chavez-Thompson

Posted on May 10, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

No, I haven’t started my slate of 2010 candidate interviews yet. It’s too early for that. But I did have the opportunity to ask Linda Chavez-Thompson, the Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor, a few questions about immigration reform and the … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

HGLBT Political Caucus issues resolution in favor of immigration reform

Posted on May 6, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: GLBT CAUCUS COMES OUT FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM The membership of the Houston GLBT Political Caucus voted overwhelmingly Wednesday for a resolution (attached) making a strong statement in favor of comprehensive immigration reform. “We, as a civil rights … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra | Tagged , , | Comments Off on HGLBT Political Caucus issues resolution in favor of immigration reform

Latinos and the GOP

Posted on May 6, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Yeah, no big surprise here. Adam Bustos, a third-generation Mexican-American, has voted Republican since Ronald Reagan ran for president. But he has been reconsidering his party affiliation since Arizona State Gov. Jan Brewer signed the nation’s toughest immigration law last … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Latinos and the GOP

Farmers Branch prepares to waste more money

Posted on April 30, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

It sure must be nice to have all these taxpayer dollars to spend on such frivolities. [Farmers Branch] plans to appeal a court ruling against its ordinance, which would prevent landlords from renting houses or apartments to illegal immigrants — … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Will Texas make like Arizona?

Posted on April 29, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

If there’s been one small positive thing about the ridiculous Arizona anti-immigrant law, it’s been to remind the rest of the country that states besides Texas do crazy, inexplicable things as well. And I do believe that there’s a reason … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Don’t play ball with the state of Arizona

Posted on April 28, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

What Kevin Blackistone says. About 10 years ago, the NCAA made one of its most bold and upright decisions: it refused to allow any more of its postseason tournaments, like March Madness, to be held in South Carolina until the … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra, Other sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Papers, please

Posted on April 27, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

So if you were to be pulled over by the police today, say for speeding or something, would you be able to prove that you’re a citizen, as the state of Arizona will now require? I don’t know about you, … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

How much would you pay for those border cameras?

Posted on April 22, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Remember all those border cameras Rick Perry wanted to install so ordinary citizens in the comfort of their living rooms could help catch people entering the country illegally? How have they worked out? Perry has invested a total of $4 … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The legal bills keep piling up in Farmers Branch

Posted on April 15, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Ka-ching! The Bickel & Brewer Storefront law firm submitted a bill for $850,000 this week in federal court for its share of costs in the successful challenge to the constitutionality of the ordinance. A second legal team is expected to … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010, La Migra | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on The legal bills keep piling up in Farmers Branch

Farmers Branch loses in court yet again

Posted on March 29, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Yet another loss in court for the city of Farmers Branch and its efforts to make apartment owners check potential renters’ immigration status. The City of Farmers Branch enacted ordinance 2952 in 2008 but today’s decision in the U.S. District … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Perry’s border shenanigans

Posted on March 20, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

It’s an election year, and that means it’s time once again for Rick Perry to pay attention to Texas’ border communities, by which I mean “grandstand about drug violence”. I recommend you read these BOR posts for a sense of … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Perry’s border shenanigans

Salvation Army changes its policy

Posted on December 6, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Good for them. The Salvation Army of Houston will no longer require Social Security numbers from those seeking Christmas gifts, the organization announced today. “It was never our intention to offend anyone with our registration requirement to provide a Social … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Toys for tots with valid ID

Posted on December 2, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

This is what you call bad holiday publicity. The Salvation Army and a charity affiliated with the Houston Fire Department are among those that consider immigration status, asking for birth certificates or Social Security cards for the children. The point … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

No quorum for Lawrence’s Council meeting on 287(g)

Posted on October 29, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Good. Three City Council members fell short of forcing a vote Wednesday on the city’s participation in a controversial immigration screening program after the rest of their colleagues skipped a special meeting. The city secretary counted only three members — … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Bye bye, border fence funds

Posted on October 12, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Good riddance. A provision to build an additional 300 miles of pedestrian fence along the U.S.-Mexico border has been stripped out of a $42.8 billion spending bill for the Department of Homeland Security. The provision by Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Bye bye, border fence funds

Change in course on 287 (g)

Posted on October 9, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron notes a change in course on how the city wants to deal with undocumented immigrants. Mayor Bill White is distancing himself from a controversial federal program that trains local law enforcement to identify suspected illegal immigrants, saying this … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Outside agitation

Posted on May 20, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve got to agree with Stace here: Why should anyone in Houston care what some outfit that’s based in Spring thinks about anything related to Houston politics or policies? Last I checked, the citizens of Spring don’t vote in Houston … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra, Local politics | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment