"I am disheartened and dismayed of the reports that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials will be conducting large-scale immigration raids in Houston this weekend. These raids only serve as propaganda and fear-mongering and divert attention from the humanitarian crisis at the Texas border caused by the federal government.

These raids are not about crime. The federal government has the resources and ability to target and track dangerous criminals without the need to terrorize vulnerable families, many of whom are already fleeing violence in their native countries. The intent is to strike fear to the millions of undocumented individuals in our country who abide by our laws, contribute to our economy, pay taxes and only want a path to citizenship.

Senate District 13 is the most diverse district in Texas, with many immigrant communities of color that call it home. These raids are un-American and I stand strongly opposed to them.

To my brothers and sisters of the immigrant community, if you have questions about your legal rights as an immigrant, please contact the Houston Immigration Rights Hotline at 1-833-HOU-IMMI (468-4664). This hotline is a project of the Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative, Boat People SOS, BakerRipley, United We Dream, Houston Volunteer Lawyers, and The ACLU of Texas."

Keep the Faith, Keep the Fight!