Having lived in California for a decade now, Derb, I too have noticed the difference in attitudes toward illegal immigrants between Texans and my fellow residents of the Golden State. The best explanation I’ve come across? That whereas welfare payments here in California are lavish, those in Texas are minimal. Which of course means that whereas Californians are quite understandably suspicious that illegal aliens enter our state to take advantage of our countless welfare offerings, Texans may rest content in the knowledge that Mexicans slip across the Rio Grande only because they want to work.