The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has issued a travel alert for Texas after a new law gives police the right to investigate a person’s immigration status during routine traffic stops.
The law, known as SB4, takes effect in September and bans sanctuary cities, cities with limited cooperation between local authorities and federal immigration laws.
Opponents of the bill claim that it leads to widespread racial profiling and illegal arrests. Terri Burke, executive director of the ACLU of Texas stated, “We plan to fight this racist and wrongheaded law in the courts and in the streets. Until we defeat it, everyone traveling in or to Texas needs to be aware of what’s in store for them.”
One of the primary sponsors of the bill, Senator Charles Perry (R-Lubbock), said, “Banning sanctuary cities is about stopping officials who have sworn to enforce the law from helping people who commit terrible crimes evade immigration detainers. Senate Bill 4 protects all Texans through uniform application of the law without prejudice.”
Nation-wide, immigrants account for 13.5%, or 43 million people, of the US population. The undocumented population is about 11 million and has leveled off since 2008. In February 2017, Customs and Border Protection reported a 36% drop from the previous year.
J. David Thompson, Political Correspondent, Lima Charlie News
Lima Charlie provides global news, insight & analysis by military veterans and service members Worldwide.
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(Title Photo: Alain et Marie-Agnès)
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