Texas House restricts cities aiding illegal immigrants

AUSTIN, Tex. (Reuters) – The Texas House of Representatives late on Monday approved a measure that seeks to crack down on cities that provide sanctuary to illegal immigrants.

The measure would prohibit local governments from banning law enforcement officers asking about the immigration status of people who are lawfully detained or arrested. Republican Governor Rick Perry designated the measure as one of his emergency priorities for the legislative session.

"It simply prevents cities from telling officers to turn a blind eye to violators of federal law," said the bill's author, Republican Burt Solomons.

But House Democrats spoke emotionally during the debate about how the bill could lead to racial profiling.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110510/us_nm/us_immigration_texas