Immigration Bills: Where Are They Now? What's Next?

Just so you know, here's an update on where the immigration bills recently passed by the Louisiana House of Representatives are:

HB 25, which requires local law enforcement officials to check immigration status upon arrest, has been sent to the State Senate and is now assigned for consideration by Senate Judiciary "C" Committee. For a list of State Senators sitting on this Committee, click here.

Local Senators assigned to this committee include:
Sen. Ann Duplessis from State Senate District 2 (East N.O.)
Sen. A.G. Crowe from State Senate District 1 (Plaquemines, St. Bernard, Slidell)

HB 1357 and HB 1358, which criminalizes transporting or harboring/sheltering an undocumented migrant, has been sent to the State Senate and is now assigned for consideration by Senate Judiciary "B" Committee. For a list of State Senators sitting on this Committee, click here.

Local Senators assigned to this committee include:
Sen. Danny Martiny from State Senate District 10 (Kenner/River Ridge). [NOTE: Martiny is the Chairman of this Committee, and he's also from a District that includes a significant Latino voting citizenry. This presents a unique opportunity to exercise some constituent muscle! Kenner Latinos who oppose this measure should bombard Martiny with emails, phone calls, and letters expressing their disapproval of these measures. Here's a prime example of precisely why LatiNola Votes! is such a critical effort.]
Sen. David Heitmeier from State Senate District 7 (Gretna/Belle Chase/Woodmere). [NOTE: Heitmeier is Vice-Chairman of this Committee, and also represents a West Bank district that also includes a substantial Latino voting community.]

I'm feeling quite hopeful about the possibility of squashing this legislation in the Senate. I think we have some fortuitous opportunities if we can mobilize and express our voices to these legislators. But what I have learned from my efforts to influence the House Legislators is that there are some very vocal supporters of this legislation who are writing in and calling their legislators. I can assure you that Legislators take tallies of people who call in and express an opinion. They may not listen to everything we say, but they do note whether the person calling or contacting them is either for or against a piece of legislation. So we need to tip the balance of this tally sheet in our favor. Please don't wait! Contact not only your State Senator, but as many State Senators as you can so that they can know how deep the sentiment is in Louisiana opposing this legislation! Do it now, do it politely but firmly, and do it repeatedly!

NOLA BLOGGERS! Sharpen your digital pens and get to work! You know our legislators read what we're writing. Let them hear from us both personally and on our blogs.