March 17, 2014 5:23 PM

IMMIGRATION FIGHT SIMMERS AHEAD OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF TEXAS CONVENTION

Some on the right would like to strip out the party’s support of a guest worker program

HOUSTON – Business interests here in Southeast Texas and elsewhere are working to marshal their forces ahead of what could be a bloody fight at the Republican Party of Texas convention in June over where the party stands on the thorny issue of immigration. Two years ago – after a bitter late night floor fight – the party platform was modified to include support for a guest worker program, which business leaders were happy to see included.

Now, some Tea Party activists and others are laying the groundwork for the party to go back to supporting an enforcement-only approach to immigration, according to draft language obtained by Quorum Report.

Texas Eagle Forum President Cathie Adams told QR on Monday that the people who pushed the party to support a guest worker program were “putting the cart before the horse.” She argued that the RPT is in a precarious position because of it and a hardline stance is what’s needed heading into the 2015 legislative session. "We're not supporters of guest workers," she said. "Elected officials keep talking about how we have to secure the border first," Adams said. “Let's get back to fixing the problem."

By Scott Braddock