Texas Backs Tough “Sanctuary City” Ban as Federal Push Slows

AUSTIN (AP/STAFF) — The Texas House approved a strict ban on “sanctuary cities” Thursday, empowering local police to enforce federal immigration law against anyone they detain and threatening police chiefs and sheriffs who refuse to do so with jail. Late Wednesday, the debate took a dramatic turn when an amendment by Tyler State Representative Matt Schaefer was approved. It would allow local law enforcement officers to ask people about their immigration status during an arrest or a lawful detention, like a routine traffic stop. Opponents say this will spark the kind of immigration crackdown that the Trump administration has so far been unsuccessful implementing nationally.

The key 93-54 vote advancing the bill came just before 3:00 Thursday morning and followed 15-plus hours of heated, sometimes tearful debate, much of it from outnumbered Democrats unable to stop the bill. Final approval that again broke along party lines helped the proposal clear the House Thursday afternoon.

An entity failing to follow the law could be subjected to a civil penalty of $1,500 for a first offense and $25,500 for any subsequent violation.

The state Senate’s version is still different enough from the House’s that the two chambers must compromise on a finished bill. Similar efforts have collapsed in the past, meaning the issue isn’t yet fully settled.