Immigrant rights organizations are suing Texas after Gov. Greg Abbott signed a law on Monday that will allow local law enforcement to arrest anyone suspected of entering the state without federal authorization. Advocates say it is one of the most “extreme” immigration bills in the country.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas and the Texas Civil Rights Project filed a lawsuit on Tuesday stating the law is unconstitutional and contradicts federal immigration policy. The County of El Paso, Texas; Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center and nonprofit American Gateways are also challenging the legislation.
“The fear that this stokes in communities, that’s the point of legislation like this,” Aron Thorn, senior attorney for the Beyond Borders Program at the Texas Civil Rights Project, told Reckon. “Millions of Texans in really robust border communities — folks who have lived here for many years — are right to be concerned about what it will look like for them when this goes into effect.”
Texas Senate Bill 4 has been referred to by immigrant advocates as a “show your papers” law that will cause racial profiling. The legislation has received massive pushback from immigrant rights groups and leaders and is expected to set up a “showdown” between the state and federal government heading into next year.
Three new state laws were created under the bill, creating new offenses that can only be committed by people designated as “aliens,” according to the ACLU. These charges include: illegal entry from a foreign nation, illegal reentry by certain noncitizens and refusal to comply with an order to leave the country and carry misdemeanor and second-degree felony penalties.
Texas judges could immediately deport arrested undocumented people “in lieu of continuing the prosecution.”
Enforcement is prohibited on school grounds, places of religious worship and healthcare facilities. If not blocked by courts, the law will go into effect on March 5.
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