Texas to ban Sanctuary Cities?

A very interesting story about immigration enforcement in Texas. Sanctuary cities are those that discourage local law enforcement from helping the short-handed federal authorities to enforce immigration laws. H/t http://elpasotimes.typepad.com/capitol/2009/03/ag-state-can-ban-sanctuary-cities.html, Vaqueros & Wonkeros.

Texas AG: State can ban sanctuary cities
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott issued an opinion today giving lawmakers the go-ahead to prohibit cities from becoming so-called "sanctuary cities."
State Rep. Frank Corte, R-San Antonio, had asked Abbott whether legislators could prohibit cities from adopting policies that prevent local authorities from cooperating with federal authorities on immigration enforcement.
Some Republican lawmakers want to require cities to enforce immigration laws or risk losing state funding for certain programs.
In his opinion, Abbott wrote that since federal law preempts city policies, any sanctuary policy a municipality adopts would be moot anyway.
"The Texas Legislature is not prohibited from adopting some form of legislation designed to compel local governments to comply with any duties they may have under federal immigration laws, so long as such legislation is not inconsistent with federal law," Abbott concluded.

Posted by Brandi Grissom http://elpasotimes.typepad.com/capitol