Immigration Enforcement Hearing to Review Policies

AUSTIN TX – Texas House Corrections Committee and the Texas House County Affairs Committee have announced a public hearing on immigration scheduled for February 1 2008 in Richardson Texas. 

The hearing is a result of a joint charge issued by Texas Speaker Tom Craddick (R-Midland) to be studied during the legislative interim which ends January 2009. The Corrections Committee’s chairman Rep. Jerry Madden (R-Plano) had requested the charge to address the growing immigration crisis.

The committee members will hear testimony from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice local officials experts in the field and advocacy groups. 

"As Speaker Craddick has said the federal government has not acted and so the State must step forward and do what we can on this important and emotional issue" Madden said. "I look forward to working with Chairman Wayne Smith on examining as many options as possible for state action."

Currently no statewide protocols exist for local agencies to identify illegal immigrants and coordinate with federal authorities.

Of particular interest to both committees is an area in immigration policy where there may be room for agreement - what happens when someone here illegally is charged with or convicted of committing a crime in our state. 

Madden pointed to the need for an effective uniform policy when coordinating with federal authorities on immigration matters referencing so-called sanctuary cities and the need to understand how they process illegal immigrants who are convicted of crimes. Those in state prisons are returned to their country of origin following the terms of their sentences but it is not known if local jails or county probation departments are doing the same.

"Collin County welcomes the opportunity to work with the House committees on the issue of illegal immigration" said Collin County Judge Keith Self.  "Collin County proactively looks for ways to protect our taxpayers in all areas including illegal immigration.  We welcome our own Chairman Madden and other State leaders to Collin County and we look forward to sharing with them our procedures that deal with those charged with offenses in our county.  We will work closely with them to find solutions to this issue.”

The immigration hearing will take place in the University Theatre at The University of Texas at Dallas located at 800 West Campbell in Richardson Texas. 

The hearing is scheduled to start at 10:30 am and signs will direct hearing participants and the public to appropriate parking.

Jerry Madden was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1992 and is currently chairman of the House Corrections Committee. He represents the 67th district of Texas that includes portions of southwest Collin County including Plano Dallas and Richardson.

In 2007 Texas Monthly named him as one of the “Ten Best” Legislators due in large part to his leadership in criminal justice and his respectful working relationships with members of both parties.