The Texas House voted early Thursday to approve a ban on “sanctuary cities,” after 16 hours of emotional debate.
KVUE-TV, reports that the amended measure allows the state to criminally charge police chiefs and city officials should they not help enforce immigration law, it also give local law enforcement the ability to ask about a person’s immigration status during an arrest or lawful detention.
Democrats say the amended version of the bill that was passed will lead to racial profiling.
During the Wednesday debate, some Democrats argued against the measure, saying it will cause fear in immigrant communities.
"We aren't exaggerating when we say that the people who will be empowered by this amendment will be the criminals,” said Rep. Mary Gonzalez (D-Clint). “We're not exaggerating -- thanks everyone -- when we say the people who will feel the biggest effects of this are the most vulnerable, the women, the children, the survivors of sexual assault, rape, human traffickers, the people who will feel the disconnect from law enforcement, the people who are supposed to make them safe.”
The Texas Senate has already passed its own version of the bill. Now the bill is set to go to a conference committee where members of the Senate and House will work out differences, before sending the measure to the Governor’s office.
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