Arlington, TX Immigration Policy: Sanctuary Policy Preemption (2026)
Key Facts
- Sanctuary status
- Not a sanctuary city
- Governing law
- Texas SB 4 (2017)
- Penalty per day
- Up to $25,500
- Detainers honored
- Yes via Tarrant Co Jail
Summary
Arlington is not a sanctuary city. Texas SB 4 (2017) bars cities, counties, and police departments from limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities or refusing to honor ICE detainer requests.
Caption Text: Relating to the enforcement by campus police departments and certain local governmental entities of state and federal laws governing immigration and to related duties and liability of certain persons in the criminal justice system; providing a civil penalty; creating a criminal offense. [...] Subjects: Aliens (I0032); City Government--General (I0060); County Government--General (I0096); Law Enforcement (I0510); Political Subdivisions (I0588); IMMIGRATION LAW (S0674); ATTORNEY GENERAL (V2811); COMPTROLLER OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS (V2608). [...] Last Action: 05/07/2017 E Effective on 9/1/17. Signed by the Governor 05/07/2017.
Full Breakdown
Texas SB 4, signed in 2017 and largely upheld by the Fifth Circuit, prohibits Texas municipalities, counties, and law enforcement agencies from adopting policies that limit enforcement of federal immigration law, including refusing to honor ICE detainers from the Tarrant County Jail. Local officials may face removal from office, and departments may face civil penalties up to $25,500 per day for noncompliance. Arlington Police follow standard cooperation practices: officers may inquire about immigration status during lawful stops, and the Tarrant County Sheriff honors ICE detainers. A separate 2024 law (SB 4 of the 88th Legislature, 4th called session) creating state immigration crimes remains in litigation.
Violations & Fines
Officials adopting sanctuary policies face removal, civil penalties up to $25,500 per day for first violations and $25,500 for subsequent days, and potential criminal misdemeanor liability for sheriffs refusing detainers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Arlington police ask immigration status?
Where are people transferred to ICE?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Arlington
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Arlington to another location·View the Texas immigration policy overview
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Sanctuary Policy Preemption in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Tarrant County handle sanctuary policy preemption.