After 2 long days, SB 17 has passed the #txlege — yet another bill that unjustly targets the AAPI community, immigrants, & visa holders w/o due process.
Today, I joined my community in rallying against SB 17, & I remain committed to fighting for a Texas that welcomes everyone.
Republican @ColeHefnerTX during debate on a bill to restrict property rights for immigrants: "Visa holders are permanent residents!"
Narrator: They're not.
Texans, the people writing your laws don't even understand what they're writing about.
#txlege@GeneForTexas
This week, I met with Asian Americans leaders from around the state to have a critical conversation about protecting civil rights in Texas. We held an important virtual discussion on HB 17 and its dangerous implications. This bill doesn’t just raise national security concerns — it opens the door to racial discrimination, fear, and exclusion. From unchecked executive authority, criminal penalty without due process, and banning people from living in urban areas sets a troubling precedent. HB 17 sends a message that certain individuals are not welcome in Texas — and that’s unacceptable. #txlege #strongtexas #hd125
@raylopezfortx Thanks for being open to engaging with our communities. It's not easy to fight social injustice. People will remember you for standing for the universal values this country is built upon.
@ColeHefnerTX Please stop being a racist stripping lawful immigrants of their equal property rights. Whatever issue you are trying to address must not be at the sacrifice of constitutional rights of underrepresented people. Do not be on the wrong side of history.
@raylopezfortx Thank you for the tremendous effort spending the entire evening listening to our voices. I ask you to stand with underrepresented minority immigrant groups, say no to racist bills, and protect our equal rights regardless of our race, skin color, or national origin.
In 2023, a #TexasGOP bill tried to prohibit the #AAPI community from owning homes & businesses.
Our community rallied. We fought. We won.
In 2025, the bill is back - but, so is our community.
And we will not go quietly into the darkness.
#txlege
https://t.co/NxatRwy1EO
@HicklandHillary@KatrinaPierson Thanks for the hard work! It is not an easy job, but please remember to treat others the way you want to be treated. Stripping lawful taxpayers of their equal property rights is not the way. Dividing communities and fueling racism is not the way.
@KatrinaPierson Thank you for bearing with the witnesses. I ask you to listen to the voices of those lawfully in the US, protect their equal property rights under the US and Texas constitutions, and keep racism out of Texas where everyone can feel welcome and valued.
We are disappointed that the Texas Senate has passed SB147 on the Senate floor. Since November, the rhetoric used in discussing this legislation has been rooted in xenophobia and racism. No amendments can undo the harm already caused to AAPI community in Texas.
Sad to see Senate passage of #SB147. This proposed law would tell lawful immigrants, who were invited by our nation to come study, work, and create jobs, that they are no longer welcome in our state.
Thank you to allies & the #AAPI community who continue to fight. #txlege
@JaceyJetton HB 2788 is evil because it would create a system utilized by the Gestapo in Nazi Germany to persecute innocent minority groups. Convicting an individual based on ties defined by consanguinity or affinity is intolerable. We have to fight the rebirth of Fascism!
@GregAbbott_TX Regardless of our prior stand towards issues like this, we have been wakened up by racist bills like SB147, SB552, and SB711 openly supported by you and your allies. Don't be surprised at how many Asian Americans will turn out and make every effort to vote fascists like you out.
@BobFu4China@TxDPS It's interesting that a person who taught at the Central Party School in Beijing "brainwashing" others (as he himself alleges) is making the false claim that every opponent of the bill is brainwashed/organized by the CCP. This is one of the most ridiculous causal fallacies.
Early indications on SB 147 are still holding true, this is a divisive issue for many folks.
To proponents, it’s a national security concern. To critics, it’s a racist policy.
Here’s one tense moment when one man asked why critics were given, as he says, less time to speak.
Early indications on SB 147 are still holding true, this is a divisive issue for many folks.
To proponents, it’s a national security concern. To critics, it’s a racist policy.
Here’s one tense moment when one man asked why critics were given, as he says, less time to speak.