Rep Carter and House Colleagues Prevail in Passing Sanctuary City Legislation

May 11, 2011

(AUSTIN, TX) – After days of debate, Representative Stefani Carter (Dallas) and members of the 82nd Texas Legislature finally passed House Bill 12, which relates to the prohibition of sanctuary cities.  Representative Carter is a co-author of HB 12.

HB 12 prohibits local entities from explicitly barring the enforcement of  federal or state immigration laws.  This bill allows police officers to request the immigration status of individuals who have been lawfully taken into custody.

“We owe it to our law enforcement officers to ensure that they have a uniform working standard for determining the immigration status, ” said Carter.  “Our officers are committed to upholding the law, including immigration laws, and being forced to comply with local ordinances that contradict state and federal law is a grave disservice to their profession and the citizens of Texas.”

According to the provisions of the bill, officers will be given strict guidelines in determining the immigration status of detainees.  In addition, any entity that adopts a rule, order, ordinance, or policy that prohibits the enforcement of state or federal law relating to immigrants or immigration is subsequently ineligible to receive state grant funds.

“We deserve to be confident that our law enforcement officers have every tool at their disposal to maintain our safety and security,” said Carter.  “If individuals are here illegally and committing additional crimes, the public needs to know that their safety is not being compromised and that law enforcement is capable of holding these individuals accountable for their actions.”

Stefani Carter is serving her first term representing House District 102, which includes parts of Dallas, Richardson, and Garland.  She is a native of the Dallas area and a former prosecutor.

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