Julián Castro, Dan Patrick slug it out over immigration

San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro came out swinging against state Sen. Dan Patrick Tuesday night during a debate on immigration policy while the Republican lieutenant governor candidate tempered his sharp rhetoric on the red-meat issue.

Patrick, who is in a heated race with incumbent David Dewhurst for the state’s second-in-command, said he would repeal in-state tuition prices for undocumented immigrants because it is “unfair to American citizens” and “force Washington to fix the problem” of illegal immigration in Texas.

“I do not agree with a pathway to citizenship after 13 years,” said Patrick, adding that he is not “radical” or “anti-immigrant.”

Castro, who is not running for office this cycle but seemingly has ambitions for higher office one day, said he supports a pathway to citizenship and opportunities for undocumented immigrants, of who “the vast majority are here to work and improve their life.”

Mayor Julian Castro (left) and State Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, square off for a debate at Univision television on Tuesday, Apr. 15, 2014. Mayor Julian Castro (left) and State Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, square off for a debate at Univision television on Tuesday, Apr. 15, 2014. Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 32 Caption Close Julián Castro, Dan Patrick slug it out over immigration 1 / 32 Back to Gallery

Castro blasted Patrick, who has said there is an “illegal invasion from Mexico” and that immigrants bring diseases such as leprosy in former campaigns, for what he called softening up on his rhetoric over immigration.

“You’ve been huffing and puffing on the campaign trail like the Big Bad Wolf and now you are tip-toeing around like Little Red Riding Hood,” Castro said.

Patrick managed to expand the debate, which was slated as exclusively over immigration, to include other controversial issues such as abortion and Obamacare.

After the debate, Castro said he believed he won and that he hopes Republicans and Democrats can work across party lines nationally, statewide and locally to pass effective immigration reform.

He also said he does not have a formal or informal role for the state party but that he thought the time was right to challenge Patrick’s immigration stance and rhetoric.

“Dan Patrick’s numbers are wrong, his policies are wrong, and he is wrong for Texas,” Castro said.

For more on the debate, check out Wednesday's San Antonio Express-News or read the full story on ExpressNews.com.

kparker@express-news.net

Twitter: @KoltenParker