According to the Statesmen, the White House “signaled its plans to get involved” in the lawsuit against Texas’s racist “show me your papers” bill, which, if implemented later this year, will turn local law enforcement into federal immigration agents by allowing them to question the immigration status of anyone they think “looks” undocumented.
The U.S. Department of Justice contacted Austin’s legal department on Monday indicating its intent to file a “statement of interest” and asked to be involved in the court hearings next week on SB 4, according to a city spokesman.
"I received an email from the Department of Justice. President Donald Trump has ordered the Department of Justice to enter the case,” said Luis Vera, an attorney with the League of United Latin American Citizens, one of the plaintiffs. “I just think the Trump administration should focus on fixing the broken immigration system, rather than interfere with what happens in Texas.”
Donald Trump and Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III certainly have bigger things to worry about, and maybe that’s why they’re possibly getting involved in this state fight. But then again, considering this bill will make life for brown people in Texas pretty miserable, maybe their involvement shouldn’t be a surprise at all.
As the Texas Tribune notes, El Paso County, San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas have all signed onto the lawsuit originally filed by the tiny border town of El Cenizo and others. With court hearings quickly approaching and the legislation slated to go into effect September 1, advocates in the state are urging others to sign on as soon as possible:
Lawmakers from Houston and Laredo have urged their respective city councils to join a lawsuit originally filed May 8 by officials in Maverick County and the City of El Cenizo, and the League of United Latin American Citizens. The lawsuit alleges that law, Senate Bill 4 by state Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, violates several provisions of the U.S. Constitution, including guarantees of free speech and equal protection.
Mario Carrillo, Texas director of America’s Voice:
It’s no surprise that the Trump Administration, which has unleashed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Custom and Border Patrol (CBP) agents on immigrant communities across the country, would stand behind its best foot soldier, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, in the war against immigrants.
By signing SB4, Gov. Abbott is encouraging local law enforcement to racially discriminate against people of color in Texas, by forcing officers to ask about the immigration status of anyone they encounter. Our community will continue to fight back against this hateful and unconstitutional law, and we will continue to build an inclusive Texas.