DOWNLOAD VIDEO
- Dozens of cities throughout the United States have been deemed "sanctuary cities," where local governments resist cooperating with federal immigration officials, including handing over undocumented immigrants who have may committed very minor offenses.
- In Austin, Texas, Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez says she will limit cooperation with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE), because she wants to build trust between police and immigrants, which she believes will make her community safer.
- As a result of Sheriff Hernandez's decision, Texas Governor Gray Abbot has started cutting 1.5 million dollars in grants to Travis County, monies that would be spent on drug courts and domestic violent prevention, stating that local law enforcement needs to comply with federal law.
- Undocumented immigrants in Austin worry that the recent Senate Bill 4 will prevent them from reporting crimes to the police out of fear of deportation.
Class discussion questions
- Essential question : How does the system of federalism in the U.S. affect issues like immigration?
- What do you know about the term "sanctuary city?"
- Why did Sheriff Sally Hernandez change the policy in her police department to limit cooperation with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE)?
- What does Texas's Senate Bill 4 propose? Do you think it goes too far or not far enough? Explain your answer.
