Perry adds immigration issues to special session

Other items he added include how local police use the federal Secure Communities program to check people's immigration status when they are arrested, and checking an applicant's immigration status before issuing driver's licenses and personal identification certificates, according to a statement from Perry.

The governor had named similar items as emergency legislation in the regular session, but the bills failed to reach the full Senate for a vote.

Opponents say the measures will lead to racial profiling and the harassment of minorities.