Most immigration bills before Legislature likely unconstitutional

Mar 28, 1:02 PM EDT

AUSTIN (AP) -- Two-thirds of the 30-plus immigration bills before the Texas Legislature will likely not come up for a vote this session because they violate federal and state constitutional standards, lawmakers said Wednesday.

The chairmen of the House committees overseeing immigration proposals said they don't want to bring up bills before the full House "for no purpose," which would divide the chamber and could ultimately get struck down in court.

"It's inappropriate and a waste of the state's money," said Rep. David Swinford, chairman of the House Committee on State Affairs, which will hold a joint meeting Wednesday with the Border and International Affairs Committee on immigration-related legislation.

Swinford, R-Amarillo, said he asked the Texas Attorney General's office to determine whether the immigration and border bills abide by the state and federal constitutions, federal law and federal court cases.