Position: Blog: Immigration

 Support state services for all immigrants, especially education and health care.

Position In Brief: 

The League of Women Voters of Texas recognizes that immigrants bring diversity and enrichment to our state.   The humane and ethical treatment of immigrants at our borders is an essential part of our country’s rule of law and the development of new residents and citizens.  

The League supports the following:

• If children and adults are detained pending an immigration hearing, families are not separated, and children should remain with parents or guardians.   
• The facility should provide medical care, a healthy diet, and sanitary living conditions.
• All immigrants, whether they are children or adults, should be provided with an attorney prior to appearing in Immigration court. Legal representation is vital to ensure due process of the law.
• Racial profiling should not be used to stop or hold immigrants or residents due to their appearance, speaking a language other than English, nor should there be an assumption of criminality concerning these issues.

The League of Women Voters of Texas recognizes that cultural diversity is a source of strength. The League of Women Voters of Texas supports economic assistance to those areas of the state disproportionately impacted by immigration. This funding should come primarily from federal, state, and private sources such as corporations, churches, businesses, and foundations. Local assistance is also appropriate.

The League believes that the state should:

• encourage and fund English as a second language and other assimilation subjects for adult immigrants
• encourage bilingual information signs in public places where needed
• require and fund international symbols for all traffic signs.

The League believes the state should support local agencies and groups working with the immigrant population. State support is absolutely necessary for:

• language fluency for children
• emergency health care (including obstetrical delivery.)

Additionally, the state should support:

• language fluency education for adults administration of criminal justice programs
• assimilation programs
• housing programs
• job training and placement for immigrants.

The League believes that the state should provide additional assistance to school districts heavily impacted by immigration for:

• staff training
• instructional materials
• salaries for special skills teachers and aides
• facility construction
• curriculum development.

The League supports the establishment and utilization of an electronic system to verify immigration status. This system should include measures that will protect privacy and ensure accuracy. The system should be made available to:

• employers
• social service providers
• housing agencies
• criminal justice system.

The League supports the mandated compilation of statistics regarding immigrants' use of state services.