The state’s anti-sanctuary cities law is having its day in federal court Monday. Texas’ largest cities are suing over the law’s constitutionality. Protesters surrounded San Antonio Courthouse to voice their opposition to the law. They say it would lead to racial profiling.
Despite the heat and even rain at some points more than 250 organized protesters held a rally outside San Antonio’s Federal Courthouse. Texas’ Senate Bill 4 allows police officers and other law enforcement to ask questions about someone’s immigration status when detained.
Protester Juanita Valdez-Cox took to the stage to say the law targets Texans of color. “Those of us that look foreign will be subjected to detention, to immigration checks, and to arrests, because of our skin color, our accent or our language,” Valdez-Cox says.
The Cities of San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, and Houston and other entities are all part of the lawsuit. San Antonio mayor Ron Nirenberg and Austin Mayor Steve Adler say the law will make communities more afraid to reach out to police.
“Anti-immigration legislation that would make intolerance the law of the land is bad for business, it divides our communities, and make no mistake about it – let’s listen to our law enforcement officials, it makes our communities more dangerous,” Nirenberg says.
“Justice and equity – if it is going to delivered in this state – seems to be up to the cities to deliver it,” Adler says.
The law also requires jails to comply detainer requests from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It also forbids elected officials from taking a stance against immigration policy with the threat of removal of office. It’s unknown when Judge Orlando Garcia – a Clinton appointee – will make his decision. In San Antonio.
SA Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Sillar gives an impassioned plea and prayer against #SB4 outside federal courthouse. pic.twitter.com/HNMZXVEoVZ
— Joey Palacios 😷 (@Joeycules) June 26, 2017