AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - A Texas sheriff whose jail policies helped drive Republican support for a ban on so-called “sanctuary cities” says she’s disappointed that a bill is heading to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk.
Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez said Thursday that “fear and misinformation” pushed the proposal through the Texas Legislature. Abbott is expected to sign the bill that threatens police chiefs and sheriff with jail and removal from office if they don’t fully comply with federal immigration agents.
The bill also allows police officers to ask about a person’s immigration status during routine stops.
Hernandez is an elected Democrat who announced in January that her Austin jails would no longer honor all detainer requests from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. That led Abbott to block some state grants dollars to her office.
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