Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said today that the Hispanic community living in that southern state has “nothing to fear” from the law recently ratified by him that prohibits “sanctuary cities” and allows local authorities To question the immigration status of any detained person.
“If you look at the details of the SB4 bill, you should not raise any concerns for someone who is not a criminal,” the Texas official said after delivering a speech in honor of deceased road patrol agents, Local newspaper Austin American-Statesman.
Abbott explained that if a person has not had problems in the past, “he will not have them in the future, except for those who are in Texas illegally and have committed a crime.”
This legislation, known as SB4, which penalizes local governments and institutions that do not cooperate with federal immigration authorities in identifying undocumented immigrants, could lead to jail sentences for Texas sheriffs in charge of offices that do not cooperate with the Service Of Immigration and Customs Control (ICE).
The law includes an amendment that will allow police officers to question the immigration status of people detained in Texas.
According to this addition, very similar to one approved in Arizona in 2010 popularly known as “show me the papers,” law enforcement officials will be able to ask about the immigration status of people who, for example, arrest a traffic issue.
Regarding this amendment, the state governor lamented that “everything” what is said about it is “completely false.”
“The only way anyone can be arrested is if there is a probable cause to be arrested,” he added.
Today, several local authorities, including Austin, Dallas and El Paso, announced in front of the state Capitol that they will sue the state for promulgating this law, which they called “racist and unconstitutional.”
Many municipalities across the state are expected to approve resolutions in the coming weeks expressing their intention to support the litigation to challenge SB 4 and reaffirm their commitment to policies that respect the links between the police and the communities they serve .
His actions mark the beginning of a “summer of resistance” against SB4, with a series of litigation, protests and other actions scheduled in the solitary star state.
