Blog: Linda's Response to Arizona's Anti-Immigration Law

Statement

Estimados Amigos,

It wasn't so long ago that Karl Rove & company were bragging that they took 40% of the Latino vote -- a feat that secured George W. Bush four more years in the White House.

But what happened on April 23rd in Arizona has changed everything.

In this Wednesday's San Antonio Express--News "Immigration divides loyalist, GOP", reporter Gilbert Garcia describes how Lionel Sosa, a Latino ad executive who was one of the masterminds behind Bush's historic Hispanic outreach, now finds himself an outcast in his own party.

Arizona's harsh new law gives the police the power to profile and stop anyone who might look "illegal." As a button I saw sarcastically puts it, "It's a dry hate." With your help, we'll make sure it's a hate that doesn't take root in Texas.

The truth of the matter is, this issue isn't about immigration at all -- it's about human dignity and protecting the American Dream.

That's why, standing on the steps of the State Capitol at the May 1 march, I pledged that as Lt. Governor of Texas no Arizona immigration laws will make it to the floor of the Texas Senate.

Instead, as Lt. Governor I will push Washington to act on comprehensive immigration reform and focus state resources to attack the real threat to our security -- not those who risk their lives to provide for their families, but those who put our families at risk by trafficking drugs through our communities.

As expected, Republican state lawmakers are playing to people's fears -- promising to pass identical legislation here in Texas.

In Texas, we're better than that. But to combat a campaign of fear, I need your help to engage the voters whose rights are most at stake -- younger voters, Hispanic voters, lower-income voters and the 1.5 million Democratic surge voters who went to the polls in 2008.

Your contribution of $10, $25, $35, or as much as you can afford will make a real difference in our efforts to ensure the voters who came out in 2008 understand they have a real stake in the election in 2010.

As Texans and Democrats, we've always fought to protect the American Dream. Our fight today is more important than ever.

Sincerely,

Linda Chavez-Thompson

P.S. I realize not all Democrats, much less all Hispanics, agree on how to fix our broken immigration system -- but no citizen should be harassed by the police or a political faction just for the way they look. Please, consider making a generous contribution to my campaign today. Many thanks.

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