Immigration Politics: Texas immigration bill has big exception - CNN.com

Ah, politics. Where rhetoric and reality run into each other, sometimes. Or as the politician quoted here says, ""With things as they are today.."

Texas immigration bill has big exception - CNN.com: "Amid a number of bills filed in Texas that address the issue of illegal immigration, one, proposed by Republican state Rep. Debbie Riddle, stands out.

As proposed, House Bill 1202 would create tough state punishments for those who 'intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly' hire an unauthorized immigrant. Violators could face up to two years in jail and a fine of up to $10,000.

But it is an exception included in the bill that is drawing attention. Those who hire unauthorized immigrants would be in violation of the law -- unless they are hiring a maid, a lawn caretaker or another houseworker. It is a tough immigration bill with a soft side that protects those who hire unauthorized immigrants 'for the purpose of obtaining labor or other work to be performed exclusively or primarily at a single-family residence.'

Texas state Rep. Aaron Pena, a Republican, said the exception is a wise one. "With things as they are today, her bill will see a large segment of the Texas population in prison" if it passes without the exception, he said."