The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Texas's sanctuary cities law, Senate Bill 4, in a decision praised by Attorney General Ken Paxton on March 13, 2018. The law prohibits local jurisdictions from adopting policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
According to Paxton, the law is designed to ensure that individuals charged with serious crimes are not released back into communities where they could potentially commit additional offenses. The attorney general argued that enforcing immigration law prevents the dangerous release of criminal suspects from custody.
"I'm pleased the 5th Circuit recognized that Senate Bill 4 is lawful, constitutional and protects the safety of law enforcement officers and all Texans," Paxton said in a statement. "Enforcing immigration law prevents the release of individuals from custody who have been charged with serious crimes. Dangerous criminals shouldn't be allowed back into our communities to possibly commit more crimes."
The ruling represents a significant victory for Texas in its ongoing efforts to combat sanctuary city policies. Senate Bill 4 has been a cornerstone of the state's immigration enforcement strategy, requiring local law enforcement agencies to honor federal immigration detainer requests and prohibiting policies that would limit cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Paxton has been a vocal advocate for strict immigration enforcement, previously filing briefs supporting the Trump administration's lawsuit against California's sanctuary policies and Indiana's similar anti-sanctuary law. In the California case, he argued that "dangerous sanctuary policies like California's undermine the rule of law and endanger good law enforcement officers and the communities that need their protection the most."
The Fifth Circuit's decision adds to a growing body of federal appellate precedent on the constitutionality of state laws targeting sanctuary jurisdictions. The ruling is expected to influence similar legislative efforts in other states seeking to mandate local cooperation with federal immigration authorities.