Immigration debate heats up in city hall

Residents on both sides of the immigration debate filled city hall chambers. One side wants the city to ask that officers ask about the citizenship status of any persons they arrest. The issue gained new steam after an illegal immigrant shot an HPD officer in the face during a drug raid.

Resident Wanda Schultz asserted, "Mayor White and the police chief are responsible for the security and safety of Houston citizens and they're not doing their job."

"If we let this happen, then this will lead to mass deportations and it will further break our families and our communities," said Houstonian Cesar Espinoza.

The anti-illegal immigration group US Border Watch staged a protest outside city hall today and demanded Mayor White resign. Day laborers and civil rights activists staged their own demonstration and accused Border Watch of racism.