KLRU-TV, Austin PBS

Episode 210: The Battle Over Immigration

Immigration BattleTexas is the literally the frontline for immigration from Mexico, Central America, and South America.  How has legislation this session proposing to limit immigrants' access to healthcare, housing, and education added fire to this heated debate? A documentary look into an immigrant's experience in Texas kickstarts our discussion of immigration reform, border security, and the state's role in these issues. (airing week of April 8th)

View entire show here.


Panelists:

Rafael Anchía

Rafael Anchía was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in November 2004 to represent District 103, which is located inside Dallas County . Representative Anchía began his public service at the local level, where he was twice elected to the Board of Trustees of the Dallas Independent School District , the nation's eleventh largest school district. During his tenure on the Dallas School Board, he served as First Vice President and chaired the Policy and Governance Committee. As an attorney with the law firm of Haynes and Boone LLP, Anchía specializes in public and corporate finance. Representative Anchía is active in various professional, civic and charitable organizations, including serving as Chairman of the Board of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund (NALEO), the Leadership Dallas Alumni Association, the Dallas Assembly, the SMU Clements Center on Southwest Studies, and the Oak Cliff Lions Club. He was a 2001 American Marshall Memorial Fellow, a 2003 Broad Fellow and a 2003 British-American Project Conference Delegate. His legislative honors include being named "Rookie of the Year" by Texas Monthly, "Freshman of the Year" by the Mexican American Legislative Caucus, and "State of Texas Man of the Year" by the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC).  Representative Anchía is a graduate of Southern Methodist University and received his J.D. from Tulane University School of Law. He lives in North Oak Cliff with his wife, Marissa, and daughters, Sofia and Maía.


Leo Berman

Representative Leo Berman was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1998 and serves District 6, Smith County . Presently he serves as chairman of the House Committee on Elections and as a member of the Government Reform Committee.   Representative Berman is a retired Lt. Colonel in the United States Army and was awarded three bronze medals and nine air medals.  In 1969, he received his BA in Political Science from Southern Methodist University.  Representative Leo Berman is happily married to Dr. Lou Ann Berman, has five children and eight grandchildren.


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