Texas House approves tougher immigration rules for energy sector employers

The Texas House has voted to require oil and gas firms to step up efforts to refrain from employing people in the country illegally.

Tuesday’s 97-46 vote mandates that energy companies use E-verify, a program which lets employers check employees’ legal status.

The rule was included in a larger bill regulating the Railroad Commission, which oversees Texas’ oil and gas industry.

Democrats argue Texas is targeting immigrants while ignoring industries employing them. The proposed E-verify rule drew surprisingly strong bipartisan support.

The full Railroad Commission bill still must clear the House and state Senate, though, meaning the E-verify provision may not survive.

The Texas Legislature is expected to pass a separate, sweeping measure punishing so-called “sanctuary cities,” where local authorities don’t help the federal government enforce immigration policy.