Dallas will join Austin and San Antonio as plaintiffs in the controversial “sanctuary cities” law known as SB 4. Mayor Mike Rawlings and city council decided on Dallas' entrance into the lawsuit Wednesday.
“The bill is unconstitutional and would infringe upon the city’s ability to protect public safety … On the advice of the City Attorney’s Office, we will work with other cities throughout the state to challenge this bill in court,” Rawlings said in a statement.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner announced via Twitter Thursday morning his intention to ask the Houston City Council to join the lawsuit later this month.
#SB4: I will ask this month City Council to consider and vote to join the lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of SB4. st
— Sylvester Turner (@SylvesterTurner) June 8, 2017
SB 4 is set to go into effect Sept. 1. The law allows law enforcement to inquire the immigration status of all people who have been lawfully arrested. It could also punish so-called sanctuary cities and universities that do not enforce the law.
Border city El Cenizo is the lead plaintiff on the suit, which has a hearing set for June 26.
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