AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton late yesterday filed a response and reply brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit over a district court order that blocked Senate Bill 4, Texas’ ban on sanctuary cities, from taking effect on September 1. A unanimous ruling last month by a three-judge panel of the 5th Circuit allowed the state to enforce key provisions of Senate Bill 4 during the appeals process. The 5th Circuit hears the merits of the case on November 7.
“Federal, state and local law enforcement must cooperate to maintain our nation of laws and prevent dangerous criminals from re-entering our communities,” Attorney General Paxton said. “Governments have a duty to protect their citizens. Senate Bill 4 is a common sense measure that prevents governments in Texas from standing in the way of federal enforcement of immigration law.”
Senate Bill 4 affirms the right and duty of law enforcement agencies throughout Texas to detain individuals pursuant to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) federal detainer program.
View the 5th Circuit ruling reinstating key provisions of SB 4 during the appeal