Senate Bill 4

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As law enforcement officers, it is our sworn duty to protect and serve our communities as well as to uphold and enforce the laws of our country and of our great state. We take that responsibility seriously. It is a high calling.

Regardless of your immigration status, if you have not committed a crime and you are not subject to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer, you have nothing to fear about this Texas law.

 

What is Senate Bill 4?

Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 4 (SB 4) on May 7, 2017. The law went into effect on September 1, 2017. Under Senate Bill 4, the following is allowed:

  • Asking someone who has been lawfully detained or arrested about their immigration status.
  •  Sharing information and cooperating with immigration authorities.
  • Permitting federal immigration authorities into local jails.

What does Senate Bill 4 do?

SB 4 requires local law enforcement officers to cooperate with federal immigration authorities and allows officers to ask the immigration status of people they have lawfully detained or arrested.

SB 4 specifically prohibits racial profiling and discrimination. You will not be asked about your immigration status while walking down the street.

Under SB 4, law enforcement officers who profile or discriminate will be subject to serious consequences. Both Texas and federal law strictly forbid racial profiling.

The objective of SB 4 is to identify dangerous criminals, not detain hardworking families or innocent children.

SB 4 requires law enforcement agencies to honor ICE detainers issued for violent criminals. The goal is to prevent the release of individuals from custody who have been charged with crimes such as sexual assault against minors, domestic violence and robbery. Dangerous criminals shouldn’t be released back onto the streets to be able to commit more crimes.

This law targets criminals, not those on whom criminals prey.

SB 4 provides new protections to crime victims and witnesses. For the first time ever, SB 4 gives crime victims and witnesses greater assurance of safety when they report a crime — not less.

SB 4 makes clear that law enforcement agencies may instruct their officers not to ask about the immigration status of a crime victim or witness, and may offer protection to those victims and witnesses.

Finally, SB 4 requires all law enforcement agencies to enforce the law. Because there are consequences — deadly consequences — to not enforcing the law, SB 4 imposes penalties and can lead to jail time and removal from office of officials who refuse to comply with this law.

For more information.....SB 4 Brochure