Immigration rights lawyers are blasting as 'ridiculous' the claim being made by many conservatives that 'Sanctuary policies' adopted by cities like San Antonio actually encourage illegal immigrants to come to Texas, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
Luis Vera, the National General Counsel for the League of United Latin American Citizens says claims like that are 'pure political posturing.'
"Do you really think people in other countries keep a list of what cities in the US are 'Sanctuary Cities,' if any," Vera said. "Do you know how ignorant that sounds."
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who was a major supporter of the state law banning 'Sanctuary Cities,' posted on Facebook on Sunday, "Sanctuary Cities" entice people to believe they can come to America and Texas and Texas and live outside the law. Sanctuary Cities also enable human smugglers and cartels."
Vera says people who are risking everything and paying thousands of dollars to smugglers are not studying Texas law journals, they are following what they have always been told about the U.S.
"All they've ever heard since the day they were born, is that this is the land of opportunity, the land of dreams," he said. "Unless you come from where they come from, you're not going to understand that."
Even though San Antonio is among five Texas cities suing to have the law banning Sanctuary Cities thrown out, San Antonio says it is not a 'Sanctuary City.'
Police Chief William McManus released the following statement today regarding the controversy
:"San Antonio is not a 'Sanctuary City.' Throughout the entire debate regarding immigration policies I have remained steadfast in my belief that it is not the role of local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration law. This most recent tragedy underscores the need for federal officials to craft and implement comprehensive immigration reform that will help address the factors that allow these crimes to occur. To continue to politicize this issue does a disservice to the victims of this tragedy and to the men and women of the SAPD who are committed to protecting all - regardless of their immigration status."
'Sanctuary City' is not a legal term and is not defined by law.