Court passes resolution in support of immigration reform
EDINBURG — Hidalgo County commissioners approved a resolution Tuesday recognizing the contributions of immigrants to the Rio Grande Valley and offering their support to comprehensive immigration reform efforts.
Citing the $400 million that immigrants contribute to the state's economy, the resolution calls for change to immigration policies that cause "great anguish to county residents who daily experience the tragedy of families divided by ineffective laws."
The resolution was approved in advance of a state convention by the Reform Immigration for Texas Alliance where the group will ask Congress to pass legislation that provides a pathway to citizenship for undocumented residents, creates safer communities along the border and establishes a new workers' program.
The Valley's delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives has backed an immigration reform bill introduced in December that is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Solomon Ortiz, D-Corpus Christi.
Commissioner Sylvia Handy, who presented the resolution to the commissioners' court, said counties along the border with Mexico are affected the most by the nation's current immigration laws.
After Hurricane Dolly, many residents who have lived here for years were unable to receive aid when their homes were damaged, she said.
"They have nowhere else to turn," she said. "It breaks our hearts that we can't do anything because we have our hands tied."
El Paso, Harris, Cameron and other counties were asked by the alliance to consider similar resolutions, said Javier Parra, a community organizer with La Union del Pueblo Entero, a member of the alliance. The resolutions show support of the county's chief elected officials to citizens' efforts to obtain immigration reform.
Parra said the resolutions will be presented to the state's delegation to Congress to encourage them to act on immigration reform this year.
Sergio Narvaez, a 61-year-old Alton man, said immigration reform would prevent abuses to illegal immigrants while giving them the chance to become legal residents.
Narvaez came to the United States three decades ago to work in the oil fields, he said. After 33 years in the country, he became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2008.
"People should have the same opportunity that I had," Narvaez said. "The world belongs to everyone."
Jared Janes covers Hidalgo County government, Edinburg and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956) 683-4424.
