Groups driving across Texas to protest SB4

Immigrant rights groups will travel in caravan across Texas protesting SB4 two weeks after the controversial “sanctuary city ban” was allowed to be implemented during court proceedings. Immigrant rights groups like the Border Network for Human Rights are taking to the road, driving from El Paso, along the border to Houston, to educate communities about what SB4 means and doesn’t mean.

“Are they gonna ask for papers from white people?” said Fernando Garcia, the executive director of the Border Network for Human Rights.

The group says SB4 promotes unequal treatment under the law. The controversial law recently allowed to be put into effect allows law enforcement officers to ask about immigration status, something they say makes it more difficult for residents to trust in law enforcement.

“If that officer violates human rights then of course it would be allianating for our community,” Garcia said.

While law enforcement agencies aren’t allowed to stop their officers from asking about immigration status, organizers made it clear in their first workshop in San Elizario this does not mean EVERY officer is forced to ask when they stop someone.

“It doesn’t force every police officer, every sheriff deputy, or even state troopers to ask for your papers,” said gabriela Castañeda, one of the speakers in San Elizario.

The caravan then continued it’s journey along the border where they plan to stop in more than 35 communities, spreading their message all along the way: educating the public about immigration rights.