POLITICS
Immigration and States’ Rights
The notions of states’ rights harbor a long-held tradition of bigotry, racism, and genocide.
Recent anti-immigrant proposals in various states across the country directed at non-white migrants reek of the tradition of racism behind arguments for states’ rights. Originally brought to bear prior to, during, and after the Civil War, the argument has shifted from protecting slavery to oppressing other marginalized groups, such as the LGBTQ community and other minority groups, including Black and Brown immigrants.
In Texas, two bills are being proposed to create “Border Protection Units” partially made up of vigilantes and a “Border Protection Court” meant to criminalize migrants. The latter makes not having proper documentation a third-degree felony for crossing the border — increasing the level of offense from a misdemeanor under federal law. This clearly unconstitutional court (more on that later) bars migrants from applying for citizenship at a later date if convicted.
If passed, Texas House Bill 20, authored by state Rep. Matt Schaefer, R-Tyler, creates “police” squads made up in part of supposed “law-abiding citizens.” The bill legalizes what mayors, such as Don McLaughlin of Uvalde, are already doing in partnering with extremist groups…
