Ban on ‘sanctuaries’ upheld:

A Texas immigration crackdown on “sanctuary cities” took effect Tuesday after a federal appeals court upheld a divisive law backed by the Trump administration that threatens elected officials with jail time and allows police officers to ask people during routine stops whether they’re in the US illegally.

The ruling was a blow to Texas’ biggest cities —including Houston, Dallas and San Antonio — that sued last year to prevent enforcement of what opponents said is now the toughest state-level immigration measure on the books in the US.

But for the Trump administration, the decision by the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans is a victory against measures seen as protecting immigrants who are in the US illegally. Last week, US Attorney General Jeff Sessions sued California over its socalled sanctuary state law. (AP)