Houston Mayor Voices Disappointment Of Texas SB4 Ruling

HOUSTON, TX — A federal court of appeals Tuesday ruled that Texas Senate Bill 4, also known as the state's ban on sanctuary cities, will remain as the law in Texas for now. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals stated that the cities that challenged the law will likely lose in their federal court suit.

Plaintiffs in the case like Houston, San Antonio, Austin and other large Texas cities sought to overturn the law. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner made an impromptu stop Wednesday at the anti-SB 4 rally organized by United We Dream — Houston and the Texas Organizing Project in front of Houston City Hall. The mayor assured the crowd he would continue to stand with the community during this time and in the future.

“Tuesday’s decision by a three-judge panel on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit is disappointing," Turner said in a statement. "If Senate Bill 4 remains law, it will continue to unnecessarily harm relationships among police and citizens, as well as create unnecessary fear of law enforcement within certain communities. The law would subject anyone to being stopped and require them to “show their papers” upon the demand of any local law enforcement official."

Basically, it would require cities and and counties to enforce detention requests placed on local jail inmates suspected of illegal immigration. Turner added that the Houston Police Department works with the community, and not an arm of ICE or the U.S. Immigration Department.

"Houston Police officers should not be required to question the citizenship status of anyone they arrest or turn information over to federal immigration officials," Turner said.

On June 21, 2017, the Houston City Council voted to join Austin, Dallas, San Antonio and several other local governments in a lawsuit to end SB-4.

"Tuesday’s court’s decision does not end the litigation and I expect the parties to appeal,” Turner said.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said Tuesday's ruling was a win for law enforcement and Texas residents alike.

“I’m pleased the 5th Circuit recognized that Senate Bill 4 is lawful, constitutional and protects the safety of law enforcement officers and all Texans,” Paxton said. “Enforcing immigration law prevents the release of individuals from custody who have been charged with serious crimes. Dangerous criminals shouldn’t be allowed back into our communities to possibly commit more crimes.”

Many in Texas believe the case on this law, which made Texas the strictest state on illegal immigration, will go all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Top image: Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner speaks during an impromptu stop Wednesday at the anti-SB 4 rally organized by United We Dream — Houston and the Texas Organizing Project in front of Houston City Hall. (Photo via City of Houston)