Texas SB 4 (2017), codified in Government Code Chapter 752, prohibits any Texas city from adopting sanctuary policies. Fort Worth is not a sanctuary city; police must honor ICE detainers and may inquire about immigration status during lawful stops, detentions, or arrests.
Texas Senate Bill 4 (2017), codified primarily at Government Code Chapter 752 Subchapter C, forbids Texas cities, counties, and law-enforcement agencies from adopting policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Local officials may not prohibit officers from asking about immigration status, sharing information with ICE, or honoring civil ICE detainers. The Tarrant County Sheriff and Fort Worth Police Department must comply with detainer requests on jailed inmates. Violations expose officials to civil penalties from $1,000 to $25,500 per day, removal from office, and Class A misdemeanor charges. Fort Worth has not enacted any welcoming-cities policy that conflicts with SB 4.
Officials who adopt sanctuary policies face civil penalties of $1,000 for first violations and $1,000 to $25,500 daily for repeat violations under Tex. Gov't Code 752.056, plus removal from office and Class A misdemeanor charges under Section 752.0565.
See how Fort Worth's sanctuary policy preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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