Shortly after the start of the 82nd Legislative session, Governor Rick Perry gave emergency status to legislation ending so-called "sanctuary cities" for undocumented immigrants in Texas.
"We must abolish sanctuary city rules in this state," said Governor Perry.
Some Democratic lawmakers admit to being caught off guard.
"I was kind of surprised that the governor floated up eminent domain and sanctuary cities as emergency items above the budget," said State Representative Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas.
City leaders say resolutions, not ordinances, that were passed in the 1990s give the impression Austin is a sanctuary city, but it is not.
"We do not actively seek out people who might be guilty of illegal immigration," said Lee Leffingwell, Austin's Mayor. "But if someone commits a crime, they're taken to jail for that crime."
"Travis County leads the nation in ICE deportations," said Art Acevedo, Austin's Police Chief. "If that's a sanctuary city, then we're going to have to work on our definition."
Mayor Pro Tem Mike Martinez agrees Austin is not a sanctuary city. However, he says legislation to eliminate sanctuary cities would be as effective as outlawing homelessness to solve the homeless problem.
"I do not think enacting feel good laws that make it look like you are taking a hard stance but really have no measurable effect are going to improve our communities," said Martinez. "The people that are coming here are going to continue to come here. They do not have anything in Mexico. They do not have jobs; they do not have homes. What harm is it to them to risk coming over here?"
Supporters of Arizona-style immigration reform were present at the Capitol, as were those who oppose it. Both sides hope to make their voices heard this session.
"Really, we see it as in many ways as being anti-Latino, so we want to make sure that we dialogue with those individuals who are pushing legislation," said Renato De Los Santos of LULAC.
Texas lawmakers will take up more than a dozen Arizona-style immigration bills this session.
