AUSTIN (WBAP/KLIF News) – Protestors gathered outside the Texas Governor’s Mansion in Austin Monday morning to speak out against a law banning so-called sanctuary cities.
The law makes sheriffs, police chiefs and other local leaders subject to a misdemeanor charge and jail time if they refuse to honor detainer requests from Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Governor Greg Abbott broadcast the signing of the bill on Facebook live on Sunday.
Critics like Democratic Representative Rafael Anchia told the crowd Abbot did that to avoid questions.
“It was signed outside of the public view and he did so away from the media…where he could be safe,” he said.
Congressman Lloyd Doggett is a Democrat representing Austin. He told the crowd Abbott pushed for the law to give himself power to strip funding from cities that don’t work with immigration and customs enforcement.
“He would not have needed a new sanctuary cities law had he had authority under existing law,” he said.
Ken Zarafis, a teacher in Austin, reassured protesters that there is power in numbers.
“The governor may have warmed his pen up but we have warned our people up. Our people will be stronger than that cowards’ pen,” he said.
Protesters argued the law targets families and makes cities less safe.
The head of the American Civil Liberties Union in Texas said the group will challenge the law in court and at the ballot box.
The event was organized by United We Dream, a youth-led organization that advocates for immigrant youth and families, regardless of their immigration status.
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