Senator Eliot Shapleigh - El Paso, Texas

Sen. Eliot Shapleigh

AUSTIN -- State Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen, Chair of the Senate Hispanic Caucus, and Senator Eliot Shapleigh, D- El Paso, and Vice Chair of the Senate Hispanic Caucus, said Wednesday they are deeply troubled by the "Capture an Illegal Immigrant Day" that took place at the University of North Texas in late January.

"While I am a proponent of freedom of speech, what happened at the University of North Texas shows a lack of knowledge of the complexities of immigration and tells me that what we need to do is hold an educational forum at UNT," Senator Juan Hinojosa said.

In late January, a student group called the Young Conservatives at the University of North Texas, held a demonstration called "Capture an Illegal Immigrant Day." Members of the Young Conservatives wore bright orange shirts that read "Illegal Immigrant" on the front and "Catch me if U can" on the back. Students who participated were given 100 candy bars for every "Illegal Immigrant" they caught.

Senator Hinojosa said what the Young Conservatives fail to realize is that these "Illegal Immigrants" are human beings seeking a better way of life for themselves and their families. To equate a human life with the worth of a candy bar is insensitive and unproductive in the discussion surrounding illegal immigration.

"I want to commend Latino students and organizations from UNT and other Latino organizations who have spoken out against the lack of understanding and sensitivity shown during the Young Conservative's demonstration."The best way to overcome ignorance is through knowledge. We are a nation of immigrants and immigration has made the United States the most vital economic power in the world today."

Senator Shapleigh said he found the actions at the university highly offensive, but that he didn't want the incident to stifle free speech. "The price of free speech at times is offensive speech," Senator Shapleigh said. "Great leaders with courage and vision have dealt with these issues and others in the past to lead our country to a better place."