Texas Governor Just Landed A Massive Attack On Sanctuary Cities

The Republican war on sanctuary cities has notched another victory as Texas Governor Gregg Abbott signed a new law Sunday that bans sanctuary cities. The new law threatens non-compliant law enforcement officers with fines and even potential jail time.

The new Texas law which takes effect on September 1 will compel law enforcement to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. And it also requires sheriffs to honor requests to hold someone to determine if they are subject to deportation.

The Texas law is the first to be signed during the Trump administration which has attempted several attacks on sanctuary cities and dramatically increased deportations, particularly among non-criminals.

Trump’s executive order on sanctuary cities has been temporarily blocked by the courts.

Police and law enforcement officials have blasted the new law saying that police officers depend upon the cooperation immigrants to solve crime and keep communities safe.

And the American Civil Liberties Union noted that federal judges have “increasingly” agreed that detainers violate the constitution.

Terri Burke, executive director of the ACLU of Texas said in a news release, “This racist and wrongheaded piece of legislation ignores our values, imperils our communities and sullies our reputation as a free and welcoming state.”