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.
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.
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.
See how other cities in Tarrant County handle sanctuary policy preemption.
See how Arlington's sanctuary policy preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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