Texas town to ask state to protect them, says illegal alien volume already bankrupting cities and counties in Texas, threatens residents' health and students' education

.
7/6/14, "Illegal immigrants on council’s agenda," Galveston Daily News, Alex Macon, League City

"The City Council is set to consider a resolution that would refuse any federal directives to process or house undocumented immigrants in League City. A recent influx of undocumented children arriving in the U.S. has reignited the immigration debate at a national and local level. The resolution, proposed by Councilwoman Heidi Thiess and Councilman Dan Becker, contends that an increasing population of undocumented minors poses a threat to students’ education and residents’ health. 

The “increasing volume of illegal aliens is already bankrupting some cities and counties” in Texas, according to the proposed resolution.

The proposed resolution calls for city officials to deny any federal “requests or directives” to establish a facility to house, process or detain anyone in the country illegally, “designated as ‘refugee’ or otherwise.”

Citing a “potential threat of communicable diseases reported to be prevalent,” among undocumented immigrants, the resolution would also authorize city agencies to use “police power in any manner necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of League City.”

It also asks the state to take legislative and executive action to address the influx of undocumented immigrants, including additional resources for Border Patrol and enhanced human trafficking laws.

More than 50,000 unaccompanied minors have entered the U.S. from the border with Mexico since October, according to estimates from government officials. Most of the children are from Central American countries such as Guatemala.

Last week federal authorities relocated some detained undocumented immigrants to the Houston area.

The Galveston-based Children’s Center appeared on a list of suggested locations where undocumented children could find assistance in the Houston area. No League City locations were on the list.

The Children’s Center participates in a program that offers emergency housing for unaccompanied minors. It’s unclear if the proposal going before the League City Council would restrict private organizations and churches that may offer housing and aid to unaccompanied minors.

The City Council will meet for a work session today at the Johnnie Arolfo Civic Center, 400 West Walker St. at 5:30 p.m. 

The proposed resolution is up for consideration Tuesday when the Council meets at 6 p.m. at 200 West Walker St."

.