Prejudice in Disguise

I am saddened that my home state of Texas has joined other Republican-dominated states in proposing anti-immigration legislation. The proposed Texas law would, among other restrictions, prohibit so-called “sanctuary cities” by forcing local law enforcement officers to check the immigration status of people detained for other offenses.

Supporters of the bill say they are not prejudiced against Hispanics, they merely oppose illegal immigration. Opponents of segregation a half century ago had similar arguments (remember “separate but equal?”). Although supporters of the law point out that it merely enforces the current immigration laws, it is widely believed that our immigration laws are unjust and unenforceable.

Critics say the bill would lead to racial profiling and keep Hispanic crime victims and witnesses from talking to police. I’ll go farther and say the proposed law is bigoted and oppressive.

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