Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is warning about the dangers that 'Sanctuary Cities' pose to all Texans, after a Department of Homeland Security report that 142 criminally charged illegal immigrants were released from the Travis County Jail in the course of just six days in late January and early February, instead of being handed over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for potential deportation, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
"Today's report from the DHS is deeply disturbing and highlights the urgent need for a statewide sanctuary city ban in Texas," Abbott said.
The DHS report shows that among those released were individuals who were charged with rape, aggravated assault, and robbery.Abbott has been involved in an ongoing battle with the newly elected Travis County Sheriff on the Sanctuary issue.
"Texas will act to put an end to sanctuary policies that put the lives of our citizens at risk," Abbott said.
'Sanctuary' policies are poorly defined, but generally mean a jurisdiction where local officials do not cooperate with or support immigration enforcement officials.