Protesters brace for more police profiling
‘Sanctuary cities’ law lets officers ask anyone about immigrant status
Angry and concerned Houstonians gathered outside the Houston Police Department headquarters downtown Saturday to protest the enforcement of Senate Bill 4, the “sanctuary cities” law that they worry could increase instances of racial profiling in Texas.
The legislation allows police officers to inquire about a person’s immigration status. Law enforcement officials who fail to cooperate with immigration officers may face misdemeanor criminal penalties and hefty fines under the new law.
“Things are bad enough as it is now. It’s only going to get worse with this law,” said David Michael Smith, who was protesting on behalf of the Houston Socialist Movement.
Police Chief Art Acevedo assured members of the Hispanic community at a recent town hall meeting that the department will take action against profiling by having officers detail in reports why they felt it necessary to check someone’s legal status.
A few hours before the protest, Acevedo tweeted in English and Spanish with links to the protest’s Facebook page. The police chief called on the public not to be “misled” by the protesters, saying that “SB4 authorizes police to ask about immigration status; it does not require it.”
Smith and others were
not convinced.
“While technically true, the fact is officers are going to (ask about a person’s status),” he said.
Jonathan Zapeta, with the United We Dream immigrant rights group, worries about a potential increase in the number of deportations as a result of SB4, which is set to take effect Sept. 1.
He noted that families and communities will be torn apart as immigrants continue to play a pivotal role in society as workers, friends and neighbors.
“If you live in the U.S., I don’t believe you don’t know someone who is an immigrant,” Zapeta said.
Others, such as Elizabeth Lozano with the Carnalismo Brown Berets, worry that police resources currently protecting citizens will be diverted as officers begin to serve as, effectively, immigration enforcers.
“We still don’t know if the federal government will reimburse local law enforcement officers for this,” Lozano added.
The protesters chanted peacefully Saturday afternoon with police officers stationed on opposite corners of Travis Street and others in police headquarters keeping watch through the glass walls.
Members of the American Civil Liberties Union were also present. Earlier this month, the national group issued a travel alert for Texas as a response to the passage of SB4.