Roland Gutierrez on Immigration

Against border wall; for pathway to permanent residency

Gutierrez was also critical of a border wall, calling it a waste of time, money and resources. More broadly, he said the United States needs to reimagine immigration policy by overhauling visa programs and working with Latin American countries to help people better understand job opportunities in the U.S. before they travel to the border. Gutierrez said he supports a pathway to residency for the millions of people who have long been in the country illegally, with a mandated time period and financial penalty. He distinguished that from a pathway to citizenship, which people could apply for five years after they become lawful permanent residents. He said he favored a pathway to residency and an earlier pathway to citizenship for "Dreamers," or young people who were brought to the country illegally as children.

Oppose local cooperation enforcing immigration laws

Excerpt from Sen. Sylvia Garcia statement: "I am afraid that this legislation will lead to harassment and profiling of Latinos. The last thing I want is 'walking while brown' to become reasonable suspicion. And, frankly, it doesn't matter how much this legislation's supporters promise that this will not happen. It will happen."

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 20-11-0 on May/3/17; passed House 94-53-1 on Apr/27/17; State Rep. Roland Gutierrez voted NO; signed by Governor Greg Abbott May/7/17.