New state laws, and a potential shift in the federal budget, have cities pushing back against immigration crackdown For mayors and law enforcement officials in so-called sanctuary cities?municipalities that have refused to enforce federal immigration laws?the last few weeks have been a policy rollercoaster with legal battles brewing in statehouses across the country.
Now the situation seems poised to get more contentious for the more than 300 jurisdictions nationwide resisting the call for a crackdown. A recent shoving match on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives may be just the beginning.
According to Austin Mayor Steve Adler, who is at the center of the Texas battle over the newly passed SB4, a state bill signed into law May 7 which forces local government officials and law enforcement to be much more aggressive about checking immigration status, these types of laws override local control, and prevent cities from enacting policies they believe are in their best interest. ?In this state and in other states, there?s a movement towards denying the individual liberty that is expressed in people?s votes and their local elected officials,? Adler told Curbed. ?I believe the government that is closest to the people is best able to represent the will of the people. ?
Legal wins for sanctuary cities
Just a few weeks ago, it seemed like the push against sanctuary cities had been significantly weakened. On May 22, Attorney General Jeff Sessions wrote a memo that ...