AG: Legislature Can Crack Down On Sanctuary Cities

EL PASO — The Texas Legislature is well within its right to craft legislation compelling so-called “sanctuary cities” –including El Paso — to comply with federal immigration law enforcement efforts, according to an opinion released today by the office of Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott.

“‘Sanctuary cities’ advocate policies which are favorable to illegal immigrants but contravene federal immigration law,” Rep. Franke Corte, R-San Antonio, wrote in his request for an AG’s opinion.

“Although federal law expressly forbids local policies that prohibit or restrict information regard immigrant status, sanctuary cities continue to support such policies.”

Abbot’s response said the legislature could require cities to “comply with any duties they may have under federal immigrations laws.”