HOUSTON (AP) - The search for a missing American tourist allegedly shot and killed by Mexican pirates on a border lake has prompted both Texas gubernatorial candidates to criticize each other over border security.
Republican Gov. Rick Perry this week revived criticism that Democratic opponent Bill White ran a "sanctuary city" for illegal immigrants while Houston mayor.
Perry cited a policy that prevents Houston police from asking anyone they stop about whether they are in the United States legally. Officers now can ask suspects only whether they are U.S. citizens. Perry said he planned to make elimination of such limitations an emergency item for the Legislature when it meets in January.
On Friday, White said in Houston that Perry was playing politics with law enforcement and that Perry's proposal would divert police from responding to emergencies and investigating crimes.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
