Dear Mr. President,

We the people of Texas recognize the enormous contribution of immigrant families to our economy, our security, our cultural heritage and our general well-being. The Great State of Texas has a long history of embracing and welcoming immigrants from all over the world. Due to our geographical location, we have a special friendship with Mexico and other Latin American countries. However, immigrants from all over the world have contributed to the state’s greatness, ever since the European immigrants who founded Texas almost two centuries ago.

Later on, successive waves of immigrants have filled the state’s growing needs, starting with the Chinese and Asian immigrants who laid the railroad tracks so essential to the expansion of our great nation. Then Mexican farm workers sowed and picked Texas fields to provide food and resources when the country was at war across two oceans. Over the decades, immigrant workers have integrated themselves to the fabric of our state. They are not ‘them;” they are “us.” They are Texas, a great state in a great nation. They build roads, take care of the sick, open businesses and create jobs, pay taxes, create works of art, fight in the U.S. military.

Today, we cannot turn our backs on them by ignoring the fact that our immigration system is broken. We cannot leave these adopted Texans, our mothers, sons, friends and neighbors, in the shadows, vulnerable to economic and physical exploitation, and separated from their families. We cannot turn our backs on students who excel in high school but cannot achieve their dreams of going to college. We cannot turn our backs on mothers who sent their sons and daughter to the military. We should do all we can to make sure that the people living and working here are well educated, safe from abuse, and contributing fully to their new country. That is the best for Texas and for the United States of America.

Today we have an opportunity to reform this irrational, hurtful system by implementing a reform that would unify families, respect human rights and acknowledge that immigrants are not the problem. They are part of the solution. If we fail them, we all fail. We, the people of Texas, urge you, Mr. President, to demonstrate your leadership and work with Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

Sincerely,

Sponsor

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