Monday, May 8, 2017
Texas governor signs bill banning sanctuary cities
As reported on the ImmigrationProf blog, the Texas Legislature has been considering an ant-sanctuary law.
CNN reports that Texas Governor Greg Abbott yesterday signed a bill that would ban sanctuary cities in his state. The bill, which Abbott could be seen signing on Facebook Live, establishes criminal and civil penalties for local government entities and law enforcement that don't comply with immigration laws and detention requests.
The new measure would fine government entities up to $25,500 for each day that the law is violated.
It would also result in a misdemeanor charge for sheriffs, police chiefs and constables who fail to comply with detention requests and in removal from office for elected and appointed officials, Abbott's office said.
In signing the anti-sanctuary law, Governor Abott stated that, "[a]s Governor, my top priority is public safety, and this bill furthers that objective by keeping dangerous criminals off our streets.” “It’s inexcusable to release individuals from jail that have been charged with heinous crimes like sexual assault against minors, domestic violence and robbery. There are deadly consequences to not enforcing the law, and Texas has now become a state where those practices are not tolerated. With this bill we are doing away with those that seek to promote lawlessness in Texas.” (emphasis added).
As part of the legislation, entities and officials that do not comply with the law could face the following penalties:
- A civil penalty for entities in violation of the law of up to $25,500 for each day of the violation.
- A class A misdemeanor for a sheriff, chief of police, or constable who fails to comply with federal immigration detainer requests
- Removal from office for any elected or appointed official who does not comply with the law.
KJ
https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/immigration/2017/05/texas-governor-signs-bill-banning-sanctuary-cities.html
