By Ed Diokno
Views from the Edge
A federal district judge on Wednesday blocked temporarily a proposed Texas law that would have banned sanctuary cities in the state, just two days before implementation of the law.
Federal District Court Judge Orlando Garcia granted a preliminary injunction of the sanctuary cities ban, Senate Bill 4, saying in his ruling that the law would have eroded the relationship between local law enforcement and immigrant communities.
In a 94-page ruling, Garcia wrote that there “is overwhelming evidence by local officials, including local law enforcement, that SB 4 will erode public trust and make many communities and neighborhoods less safe,” adding that “localities will suffer adverse economic consequences which, in turn, will harm the state of Texas.”
“Texans are still under threat from a catastrophic hurricane and the last thing they need is Trump’s deportation force.” said Gilberto Hinojosa, chair of the Democratic Party.
“Texas Democrats applaud the Court’s decision to immediately halt Gov. Greg Abbott’s dangerous bill.
“Our communities and police chiefs understand the ‘show-me-your-papers’ bill is dangerous and makes no one safer.
The new law was preempted by federal immigration law, which supersedes state law, the judge found.
“The Court cannot and does not second guess the Legislature,” Garcia continued. “However, the state may not exercise its authority in a manner that violates the United States Constitution.”
Garcia, who was appointed by former President Bill Clinton in 1994, is the Chief United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas.
The would-be law, SB4, was signed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) in May,. If implemented it would allow Texas state officials to fine local officials who implement policies aimed at limiting enforcement of federal immigration laws. State officials can even remove those local officials from office, the bill says.
If implemented, the would have allowed law enforcement agencies to stop and question anyone who is suspected to be undocumented. About 40 percent of Texas’ population are immigrants with large pockets of South Asians, Vietnamese, Chinese and Filipinos.
Abbott said the state would appeal the judge’s ruling.
The suit was filed by Texas largest cities, including Houston, the ACLU and the League of United Latin American Citizens. SB4 was opposed by many of the state’s police chiefs and law enforcement agencies.
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