Commentary Critique #2

In the online Corpus Christi Newspaper I found an interesting editorial titled ICE Surge gives Texas a belt-tightening Opportunity written on February 22, 2017 by the Editorial Board, Corpus Christi Callers-Time. This editorial points out that not only does the “immigration enforcement and border security surge… tear families apart, inflame prejudices and undermine Mexico relations and the economies of both countries” but it will also affect tax payers “that’s us” by raising taxes to pay for all the additional expenses that the increase in immigration enforcement and boarder security will bring.

As provided in the editorial some may try to argue that this immigration enforcement and boarder security surge launched by Trump administration will save Texas $1.8 billion by abondening the proposed billion dollar increase in state sponsored border security that was approved 2 years ago. In reality this is misleading due to the amount of money that will be spent to hire 10,000 to 15,000 more agents and detention centers to hold the millions of immigrants that the agents will be expected to round up and detain until they are deported. In addition to these additional expenses on tax payers "that's us" we'll most likely have to pay higher property taxes to cover the cost associated with Trump and Governor Greg Abbot's war on "sanctuary cities". The actions that Greg Abbot and Trump are requesting of cities to hold ICE detainees have already lead to lawsuits that will cost these cities legal fee which is another expense that will fall on tax payers in these cities. 

Ultimately sanctuary cities are trying to use their resources wisely, "recognize the constitutional rights of people not to be detained illegally", and obtain the trust in there community so that victims and witnesses of crimes are not discouraged in reporting them. Unfortunately this increased focus on immigration enforcement and border security will largely negatively effect Texas by directly increasing taxes on Texas tax payers, ruining Texas's reputation of a "low-tax state" and that just naming a few.