Texas Senate Bill 4 (2017) prohibits sanctuary policies in Travis County, requires local jails to honor ICE detainers, and bans elected officials from limiting cooperation, with penalties including fines, removal from office, and felony charges for sheriffs.
Texas SB 4, codified primarily in Government Code Chapter 752, makes it unlawful for cities, counties, and universities to adopt policies limiting immigration enforcement cooperation. Local entities must honor ICE Form I-247A detainer requests and let officers ask about immigration status. Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez initially limited detainers in 2017, prompting legal action; subsequent sheriffs comply with state law. Penalties include removal from office, civil fines up to $25,500 per day for jurisdictions, and Class A misdemeanor or felony liability for sheriffs who refuse cooperation. SB 4 (2024) added new state crimes for unauthorized entry.
Local officials adopting sanctuary policies face removal proceedings, civil penalties up to $25,500 daily, attorney fees, and possible criminal charges; sheriffs refusing detainers can face felony official misconduct prosecution.
Pflugerville, TX
Pflugerville's Unified Development Code (UDC) Section 4.2 lists the residential zoning districts (SF-Suburban, SF-Mixed, SF-Urban, etc.) and Section 4.2.4 co...
Travis County, TX
Texas HB 2127 (2023) preempted local paid sick leave mandates, voiding the Austin paid sick leave ordinance previously enjoined by the Texas Third Court of A...
Travis County, TX
Texas preempts local minimum wage laws under Local Government Code Chapter 229, leaving the federal $7.25 per hour rate as the floor for most private employe...
Travis County, TX
Travis County businesses pay the Texas franchise tax administered by the Comptroller rather than a local business income tax, and personal property used in b...
Travis County, TX
Hotels and short-term rentals in Travis County collect a combined hotel occupancy tax of roughly fifteen percent, including six percent state and up to nine ...
Travis County, TX
Travis County and Austin prohibit aggressive panhandling such as touching, blocking paths, or soliciting at ATMs and bus stops, while passive sign-holding re...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Travis County.
See how Pflugerville's sanctuary policy preemption rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.