DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF News) – Local organizations are celebrating what they call a major victory after a federal judge filed an injunction to block parts of the so-called “Sanctuary Cities” law in Texas.
American Civil Liberties Union attorney Kali Cohn said the ruling means that officers will not be forced to ask about a person’s immigration status during a traffic stop
“Officers can now choose not to participate and ask those questions and they do not have to fear any sort of fine or criminal penalty as they would have under the law before it was enjoined,” she said.
If an officer chooses to ask about a person’s immigration status, the law states that they can’t make an arrest without probably cause.
The Texas Organizing Project’s David Villalobos said he considers the ruling a victory.
“We are cautiously happy. A lot of the law got struck down…a lot the teeth, the enforcement values that were attached to SB4,” he said.
Although it’s a step forward, Villalobos said he’ll continue to fight the law.
“Right now, as it seems, it’s just symbolic in nature. Our immigrant communities live in fear every day…they live in the shadows. We need to make sure we win this fight for them. We’re going to continue battling this. Not only in the courts but in the streets as well,” he said.
The ruling also said that forcing jails to honor federal detainer requests in unconstitutional.
The groups will hold a celebratory rally at Dallas City Hall Thursday night.
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