TEXAS FIRST

SMART ECONOMY. STRONG COMMUNITIES. SECURE FAMILIES.

Putting Texas frst means holding Washington, D.C. to task
and fnding a comprehensive solution on immigration.
- Senator Leticia Van de Putte
As a sixth generation Texan and descendent of a hard working family from Mexico, Leticia
knows that its not what you look like or where you were born that makes you American -
its how you live your life and what you do.
Leticia understands that Texas needs a secure border, and that how we live our values
every day defnes us as Americans and as Texans. Leticia believes that all Americans
who love this country deserve a common-sense immigration process that includes a
roadmap to citizenship for honest, hard-working new Americans.
Leticia believes that immigration reform should secure the border, create a system to
verify legal status, simplify immigration procedures, and create a legalization program
with tight criteria and eventual citizenship for those who earn it; a modern immigration
system should allow for Texas to continue to be the most attractive place for the best,
brightest, and hardest working people from around the world.
Leticia knows that fnding a Texas solution is complicated as it requires state and federal
cooperation but she also knows that Texas does its best work in the toughest of times.
Leticia is committed to holding Washington D.C. and Congress accountable for providing
an immigration system that works.
As Lieutenant Governor, Leticia will facilitate state and federal cooperation and fulfll the
promise of a Texas solution to our unique immigration, refugee, and asylee challenges.
IMMIGRATION:
Securing the border and Texas economic future
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AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, LETICIA WILL:
1
Secure our border with a Texas Solution on immigration. Immigration
laws are a federal responsibility that should be governed by Congress.
However, Washington continues to fail to reform our broken immigration
system, allowing for de facto amnesty. In the meantime, the challenges
associated with our broken immigration laws have been faced by and
borne by the states and their businesses - especially border states
like Texas. Leticia will put the politics and rhetoric aside to facilitate
collaboration and promote action.
Leticia will convene Texas state leadership and members of the
Texas Congressional delegation to fnally follow through with their
claims of promises to reform our immigration laws.
Leticia will fght to increase the number of border patrol agents and
security resources along the Texas border, in areas identifed as
strategic targets.
2
Ensure the necessary state funds to secure our border. Leticia voted to
add $121.6 million for border security efforts last session. She knows that
state funding is essential to our law enforcement agencies abilities to
assist in securing our Texas border.
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3
Protect valuable economic initiatives that keep Texas globally
competitive. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, for every
immigrant hired at technology companies, an average of 5 to 8 additional
employees are hired as well. Immigrants or their children founded 40%
of todays Fortune 500 companies, including frms behind seven of the 10
most valuable global brands. Leticia knows fxing our broken immigration
system will not only grow the economy by roughly $700 billion by 2023, it
will also continue our rich heritage as a nation of immigrants.
Leticia remains committed to the Texas Solution of a state
temporary worker permit program.
Leticia will support initiatives that ensure the Texas Dream Act
maximizes our states return on investment.
4
Secure our border by ensuring that troopers can focus on catching
criminals, not kids. The recent influx of women and their children as well
as unaccompanied minors fleeing Central America has presented Texas
with unique challenges. But Texas never turns its back on a challenge.
Faith-based and local community leaders have tackled this challenge with
the Texas spirit of neighbor helping neighbor. However, local resources
are being stretched to cover costs of these federal responsibilities.
Leticia will hold Washington, D.C. accountable for reimbursing state
and local costs associated with enforcement of immigration laws.
Leticia will ensure that bureaucrats and politicians in Austin are
held accountable to the Texas taxpayers. State money spent on
securing the border and assisting with humanitarian efforts will be
transparent and utilized to maximize effciency.
Leticia will convene with state border security offcials, faith-
based, and local community leaders to fnd ways to support their
humanitarian efforts.
5
Combat human smuggling. Human smuggling, distinct from human
traffcking, is on the rise in Texas. However, there can be overlap in many
cases. In many instances, crimes that initially begin as human smuggling
evolve into human traffcking or a related crime. More recently, Texas has
seen an increase in stash houses. Hundreds of undocumented men,
women and children are held, sometimes against their will, in one house,
usually under unhealthy and squalid-like conditions. Leticia believes that,
similar to the major advancements Texas has made in combating human
traffcking, Texas must apply the same commitment to combating human
smuggling.
Leticia will increase penalties for crimes associated with human
smuggling, especially when they involve children, and for the
criminals that commit them.
Leticia will ensure state and local law enforcement offcials have the
necessary tools and resources to combat drug traffcking, human
smuggling and other crimes by the cartels.
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6
Combat the modern-day slavery of human traffcking. The recent debates
surrounding immigration and the recent influx of asylees have raised
concerns regarding human traffcking. Texas has the second highest
number of human traffcking calls in the nation, only behind California.
That is why Leticia created the Texas Human Traffcking Prevention Task
Force, which successfully helped strengthen penalties for criminals who
traffc persons and develop trainings for persons who are in contact with
potential victims. Despite the major advancements Texas has made in
combating human traffcking, much work is yet to be done. Leticia knows
that nurturing the relationship between law enforcement and victim
service providers is essential to ensuring victims receive the services
necessary to make a full recovery.
Leticia will explore strategies to access funding and maximize
public-private partnerships for shelters, diversion programs, and
treatment services for victims of human traffcking.
Human traffcking victims have diffculty accessing appropriate
shelter services. While ordinary shelter services are available,
those shelters are not necessarily appropriate for human
traffcking victims. Homeless or rape crisis shelters, which
may not be able to provide for the specialized needs of human
traffcking victims who have suffered severe abuse.
Leticia will review and improve the appropriate procedures for
providing effective treatment and services for minors who are
victims of domestic sex traffcking in the juvenile justice system
and/or in the child protection system.
Human traffcking victims under 18 years of age face complex
challenges in receiving needed services as it continues
to be unclear which agencies have the proper oversight or
jurisdiction when a minor is identifed as a victim. Often,
traffcked minors are mistakenly placed under the jurisdiction
of the juvenile justice system for crimes they were forced
to commit. However, the child protection agency may not
have jurisdiction if the traffcker is not a family member or
a traditional caregiver, leading to a complex problem of
fnding the agency who can provide the necessary resources
and services for minor victims. Leticia believes that Texas
must develop a clear approach for linking children to critical
support services and comprehensive care.

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Pol. ad. paid for by the Leticia Van de Putte for Lt.
Governor Campaign. Joe J. Bernal, Treasurer.
Printed in-house using volunteer labor