Berman Proposes Birth Certificate Bill

AUSTIN — A proposal filed in the legislature would deny the children of illegal immigrants birth certificates if they are born in Texas hospitals. Instead they would be issued a temporary report of “alien birth” document, which would then be turned over to the consulate of the parent’s home country. The proposal by State Representative Leo Berman, of Tyler, would also make English the state’s official language. Berman says officials documents would only be printed in English. He says his proposal would not affect English as a second language, classes and schools would not bar people from speaking other languages and would not force San Antonio from changing its name to Saint Anthony.