The war of words continues between the Texas Lt. Gov. and the San Antonio Police Chief, who are at odds over the sanctuary city policies that have been under the microscope this legislative session, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
The latest volley started on the Fox News Channel this week, when Lt. Gov Dan Patrick gave his thoughts on a human smuggling incident on San Antonio's southwest side that ended with ten migrants dead.
"This is a horrendous tragedy that should never happen in America, but our policies from the last administration and, quite frankly, Democrat policies of today of an open border," Patrick told Fox & Friends. "Sanctuary cities allows and enables these drug smugglers who don’t care about human life to put people in this horrific situation."
That's not sitting well with Chief William McManus, who lashed out during a lobbying trip to Austin.
"That's incredulous to me that anybody could make such a statement," he said.He blasted Patrick for suggesting that the city's long-standing policy of not asking a person their immigration status was an invitation to illegal immigrants.
"If it were a sanctuary city, you wouldn’t have to do it under the cover of darkness,” he said, referring to the incident where an 18-wheeler driver stopped at a Wal-Mart, Sunday.
According to court papers, obtained by 1200 WOAI news, when the hatch opened, there were black SUVs waiting to pick the migrants up.
“You could just bring them in and nobody would pay attention because it's a 'sanctuary city,'" Chief McManus said.
He said, on a personal and professional level, he was offended what he felt was a move by the Lt. Gov. Patrick to score political points.
The pair previously clashed at the state legislature over Patrick's sanctuary city bill, which allows cops to ask a person their immigration status. Chief McManus was one of the loudest voices during the regular session against the bill, which was ultimately signed by the governor. He says, it's already having negative consequences.
"I have noticed that there are members of the community who shy away from the police department. I don’t have a full grasp on the amount of folks who feel that way, but I can tell you from being on the streets for 42 years as a cop, it is happening and it will continue to happen."