The Great Smoky Mountain Journal
Source:
Tuesday, January 01, 2019 02:40 PM
Federal Court Upholds Texas Law Targeting Sanctuary Cities
Tuesday’s ruling by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans allows police officers in Texas to ask people their immigration status during routine stops.
It also threatens officials with jail time for not cooperating with federal immigration authorities.
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott quickly took to Twitter to announce that the “law is in effect” and that “allegations of discrimination were rejected.”
Greg Abbott
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@GregAbbott_TX
BREAKNG: Texas Ban on Sanctuary City Policies upheld by Federal Court of Appeals. Allegations of discrimination were rejected. Law is in effect.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton also released a statement, applauding the decision and saying “dangerous criminals shouldn't be allowed back into our communities" to potentially commit more crimes.
Tuesday’s ruling came just as President Donald Trump visited California to view prototypes for a border wall to better secure the nation's southern borders.
“We are going to confront dangerous sanctuary cities,” Trump said during his visit. “I am calling on Congress to deliver a budget that protects our homeland and properly funds all of our law enforcement needs.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
