Lubbock, TX Immigration Policy: Sanctuary Policy Preemption (2026)
Key Facts
- State law
- Texas SB 4 (2017)
- Detainer policy
- Honored by sheriff
- Civil penalty
- $25,500 per day
- 2021 abortion law
- Sanctuary for Unborn
Summary
Texas SB 4 (2017) bans sanctuary city policies and requires local jails to honor ICE detainers. Lubbock cooperates with federal immigration authorities and notably declared itself a Sanctuary City for the Unborn in 2021.
Sec. 752.053. POLICIES AND ACTIONS REGARDING IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT. (a) A local entity or campus police department may not:(1) adopt, enforce, or endorse a policy under which the entity or department prohibits or materially limits the enforcement of immigration laws;(2) as demonstrated by pattern or practice, prohibit or materially limit the enforcement of immigration laws; or(3) for an entity that is a law enforcement agency or for a department, as demonstrated by pattern or practice, intentionally violate Article 2A.060, Code of Criminal Procedure.(b) In compliance with Subsection (a), a local entity or campus police department may not prohibit or materially limit a person who is a commissioned peace officer described by Article 2A.001, Code of Criminal Procedure, a corrections
Full Breakdown
Texas Senate Bill 4, signed in 2017, prohibits Texas cities, counties, and universities from adopting policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The Lubbock County Sheriff's Office honors ICE detainer requests, and Lubbock police can inquire about immigration status during lawful detentions. Violators of SB 4 face civil penalties up to $25,500 per day and removal from office. Separately, Lubbock voters approved a 2021 ordinance declaring the city a Sanctuary City for the Unborn, banning abortion within city limits, a measure that became largely symbolic after Dobbs and Texas's trigger ban.
Violations & Fines
Local officials adopting sanctuary policies face civil penalties up to $25,500 per day, removal from office, and Class A misdemeanor charges for sheriffs ignoring ICE detainers under Texas Government Code 752.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lubbock a sanctuary city for immigrants?
What is the Sanctuary City for the Unborn ordinance?
Sources & Official References
- [1]Texas SB 4
Other rules in Lubbock
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Lubbock to another location·View the Texas immigration policy overview
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