A governor has numerous duties and responsibilities. To fulfill the different responsibilities, governors must utilize the resources and the formal and informal powers conferred to them. Formal powers are those institutional laws that emanate from the governor’s office. Some powers are inherent outside the office; hence, they are referred to as informal powers. Such powers depend on personal skills, experience and knowledge about leadership that assists individuals in such offices to performing their duties. This paper discusses how I would utilize my formal and informal powers to address illegal immigration in the state of Texas. Texas is one of the American states with high numbers of illegal immigrants Charldean, Prindle, and Riddlesperger 111.
Although the public assigns immense powers to the governor’s office, Texas’ office of the governor enjoys weak institutional powers because of the constitution’s provision of multiple offices that server alongside the office of the governor. This leaves the governor with no choice, but to utilize his/her personal, leadership and management leadership skills so as to serve the public in the most preferred way. Texas being one of the states worst hit by the burden of illegal of illegal immigration in the United States, requires sound rules to counter this menace that is a threat to the national security. This could be due to failure or lack of proper enforcement of the laws that govern immigration. From my point of view, the existing laws concerning illegal immigration have not been strictly enforced. As a governor, I would be the forefront in enforcing the Federal Immigration Law. I would show total cooperation with all the stakeholders (Federal and local officials) inascertaining individual’s immigration status. Here, I would propose strict bills and policies on the terms and conditions of alien admission to Texas. All employers should be highly scrutinized where state officials must conduct surprise audits in order to verify the origin of the workers and whether they are permitted to work in America. Furthermore, severe punishment should be imposed to those found hiring aliens.
My office would carry out its statutory mandate to maintain a support center providing information on illegal immigrants. The support center would collaborate with local law enforces and other agencies and to some extent the United States military, local law enforcement, citizens and other local agencies in providing essential information that would lead to capture of undocumented persons in the state. For those legally persons who overstay, the support center should monitor their database and ensure that they are not only prosecuted, but they are deported to their parent countries.
As a governor, I would not support the “Dream Act”, which seeks to give amnesty to underage undocumented individuals who enter Texas and graduate from institutions of higher learning. All underage visitors who enter Texas should be thoroughly checked and documented to reduce any chance of being left behind by their guardians. From my point of view, this Act would worsen the situation. Texas is one of the American states with high numbers of illegal immigrants who have severe impact on economic and social resources Charldean, Prindle and Riddlesperger 464.
Conclusion
Texas is one of the American states with high numbers of illegal immigrants. As governor of Texas, with numerous duties and responsibilities, I must utilize all the available resources both formal and informal powers so as to control illegal immigration which is a serious threat in Texas.
Works Cited
Charldean, Newell, David Prindle, F., and James Riddlesperger W. Jr. Texas Politics(eds. 12.). California: Cengage Learning, 2010. Print.