By Mary Alys Cherry
A controversial resolution that would bar undocumented migrant children from being housed in League City was passed by its City Council at its Tuesday, July 8 meeting as dozens demonstrated outside, chanting and holding signs for and against the proposal.
The 6-2 vote came before an overflow crowd in council chambers after more than two dozen residents voiced their opinions about the proposed resolution, including a number who found some of the language in the document concerning “Islamic terrorists” to be offensive and two ministers who did not want to shut the door to little children.
”What would Jesus say?” one asked.
Others worried about immigrants bringing in disease while some slammed the government for not protecting the border. One woman suggested that the country first take care of its poor and downtrodden before extending a helping hand to immigrants.
Still others worried about terrorists and gangs slipping in. Some feared that passage of the resolution would give League City a bad reputation as callous.
The resolution was drawn up by Councilwoman Heidi Thiess with Mayor Tim Paulissen, Mayor Pro-tem Andy Mann and Councilors Dan Becker, Jeri Bentley and Todd Kinsey voting their approval. Councilors Dennis OKeeffe and Joanna Dawson were opposed.
OKeeffe said he felt “the directives contained within the ordinance are illegal, they are unenforceable. . . and embarrassing to League City’s reputation.”
No one ever indicated where in League City any immigrants might be detained. There are no empty schools or other large unused buildings.
The Galveston County Commission passed a similar resolution earlier in the day on a 4-1 vote.
The League City resolution:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF LEAGUE CITY, TEXAS
TO PROTECT THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND SECURITY OF OUR CITIZENS AND COMMUNITY; AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT
WHEREAS, the citizens of League City, Texas recognize their duty as law-abiding citizens to act in accordance with the U.S. Constitution and the Texas Constitution, and agree that their right to life, liberty, and property shall not be infringed; and
WHEREAS, the federal government has failed to protect the homeland in accordance with Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, Texas has the right and obligation to protect its citizens in accordance with Article 1, Section 1 of the Texas Constitution:
Freedom and Sovereignty of State. Texas is a free and independent State, subject only to the Constitution of the United States, and the maintenance of our free institutions and the perpetuity of the Union depend upon the preservation of the right of local self-government, unimpaired to all the States.
And is supported by Article 1, Section 29 of the Texas Constitution:
Provisions of Bill of Rights Excepted from Powers of Government; To Forever Remain Inviolate. To guard against transgressions of the high powers herein designated, we declare that everything in this (Texas) “Bill of Rights” is excepted out of the general powers of government, and shall forever remain inviolate, and all laws contrary thereto, or to the following provisions, shall be void.
WHEREAS, the citizens of League City Texas are greatly concerned regarding the ongoing massive influx of illegal aliens seeking unauthorized entry to the United States; and
WHEREAS, it is estimated that more than 90,000 minors will arrive in the United States during the 2014 fiscal year and an additional 145,000 illegal alien minors in 2015 fiscal year, with most expected to remain in Texas cities and communities; and
WHEREAS, the leaders of League City question the impact that the sudden influx of school-age illegal minors will have on our Independent School Districts’ (ISD) educational funding, school resources, campus security, and health safety for our children; and
WHEREAS, health advisories report that many illegal aliens suffering from diseases endemic in their countries of origin are being released into our communities; and
WHEREAS, the federal government is actively seeking more locations within Texas towns and counties to accommodate the unprecedented overflow of illegal aliens and unaccompanied minors; and
WHEREAS, the increasing volume of illegal aliens is already bankrupting some cities and counties in the State of Texas by overwhelming the local medical, educational, law enforcement, and judicial systems; and
WHEREAS, members of dangerous transnational criminal organizations and radical Islamic terror groups continue to exploit the situation to infiltrate the United States for the purpose of establishing criminal activity, terror cells, and training operations within our homeland; and
WHEREAS, without a secure border Texas cities and communities cannot protect the health and safety of their citizens;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LEAGUE CITY, TEXAS, as follows:
Section 1. That all agencies of the City of League City are instructed to refuse requests or directives by federal agencies to permit or establish any facility for the purposes of processing, housing, or detaining any illegal aliens, designated as “refugee” or otherwise.
Section 2. We hereby appeal to our state legislators and elected officials for action and accountability to urgently address the continuing influx of illegal aliens across our border.
- Through State executive and legislative actions demand that the Federal government provide additional resources for new and/or existing Border Patrol checkpoints, and employ a contiguous physical barrier where strategically prudent.
- Demand the Texas State Legislature to enhance state smuggling and human trafficking laws, and provide civil liability protections for Texan landowners against criminal trespassers.
- Demand the Texas State Legislature abolish any and all state-controlled or sponsored magnets that exacerbate the problem of rampant illegal immigration, such as (but not limited to): in-state tuition subsidies, welfare benefits, and free non-emergency health care for illegal aliens.
- Require the State to perform a cost/benefit analysis of the illegal alien presence and report that cost to Texas taxpayers and state agencies.
- Pass legislation to prohibit “sanctuary cities” which restrict law enforcement from determining the immigration status of detainees after the commission of a crime within our communities.
Section 3. That civic responsibility demands that community and state leaders begin crisis planning immediately to address the unprecedented wave of foreign minor school age children that could be enrolled in Texas schools this summer; and
Section 4. That the City of League City, State of Texas, calls on other communities and jurisdictions to join with us in this action by passing similar Resolutions.
Section 5. That copies of this Resolution be immediately transmitted to the Governor of the State of Texas; the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Texas’ legislature; each individual legislator that represents our City in the State of Texas; the Commissioner’s Court of Galveston County; and the Sheriff of Galveston County.
