It was one year ago this week that Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed the so-called anti-sanctuary city law, and opponents says their fears about a ripple effect are playing out just like they predicted, Newsradio 1200 WOAI reports.
"Community members still call me, asking whether they should go to municipal court and pay their ticket, over fear that they might run into a (San Antonio Police Department) officer where they might ask me about my status," Councilman Rey Saldana says.
Senate Bill 4, which was passed by the state legislature over much debate, allows police officers to ask the immigration status of people they detain. It also allows for the arrest of elected officials who don’t respond to federal immigration detainer requests.S
aldana, who represents San Antonio's southwest side, says SB4 sews the fear of doubt in minority populations, and he feels that does not make the city safer.
"SB4 has made that fear multiplied by several thousand of community members who feel that sense of fear about whether they can interact comfortably with our law enforcement," he explains.
He's led the charge against SB4, sparking a lawsuit.
Earlier this year, a federal appeals court ruled that most of the sanctuary city law can remain in effect while that case plays out.