In 2012 the Republican Party of Texas adopted a platform including support for a guest-worker program for immigrant communities. Dubbed the "Texas Solution," the program did not provide for a path to citizenship but would allow foreign nationals to work in this country legally.
Now several prominent state Republicans have come out publicly against the plank, two years later, and want to see it pulled from the state platform. State Senator and candidate for Lt. Governor, Dan Patrick, is one. He took a hard line to immigration reform throughout his campaign, with fiery rhetoric referencing an "invasion" of immigrants. Whereas Attorney General and republican candidate for Governor, Greg Abbott, took a far more inclusive route.
Walt Wilson, Professor of Political Science at the University of Texas San Antonio sees this as another salvo in the fight for dominance in the state GOP. Upstart Tea Partiers, and those more conservative are taking aim at their business-minded, mainstream brethren.
Juan Hernandez and the Hispanic Republicans of Texas worked to get the plank added back in 2012 and is disappointed to see the party take a step back on this issue.
What does it mean for the State GOP to walk away from the guest worker program?
Guest:
- Walt Wilson, Professor of Political Science at UTSA
- Juan Hernandez, co-founder of Hispanic Republicans of Texas, a political action group dedicated to recruiting and electing Hispanic Republicans in local races.
