ACLU issues Texas 'travel advisory'

The Hill 

By Rebecca Savransky

May 09, 2017

ACLU issues Texas 'travel advisory' 

The American Civil Liberties Union on Tuesday issued a “travel advisory” for anyone traveling to Texas after the state’s governor signed a controversial immigration bill.

The ACLU is warning that those traveling to Texas should “anticipate possible violations of their constitutional rights.”

“The ACLU’s goal is to protect all Texans and all people traveling through Texas — regardless of their immigration status — from illegal harassment by law enforcement,” said Lorella Praeli, ACLU director of immigration policy and campaigns, in a statement.

“Texas is a state with deep Mexican roots and home to immigrants from all walks of life. Many of us fit the racial profile that the police in Texas will use to enforce Trump’s draconian deportation force.”

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed a controversial bill into law Sunday that bans “sanctuary cities” and allows police officers to ask the immigration status of every person they detain.

“Citizens expect law enforcement officers to enforce the law, and citizens deserve law breakers to face legal consequences,” Abbot said before signing the law. “Texans expect us to keep them safe, and that is exactly what we are going to do.”

The Texas bill, known as S.B. 4, will prohibit cities from declaring themselves sanctuary cities and refusing to cooperate with federal officials on immigration enforcement. It also directs local law enforcement officials to enforce immigration laws alongside their regular duties.

Terri Burke, executive director of the ACLU of Texas, said the organization plans to “fight this racist and wrongheaded law in the courts and in the streets.”

“Until we defeat it, everyone traveling in or to Texas needs to be aware of what’s in store for them,” Burke said in a statement. “The Lone Star State will become a ‘show me your papers’ state, where every interaction with law enforcement can become a citizenship interrogation and potentially an illegal arrest.”

For more information, go to:  www.beverlyhillsimmigrationlaw.com