SAN ANTONIO – The League of Latin American Citizens reaffirmed its belief Thursday that it will win its legal challenges against the state of Texas over the sanctuary cities law.
The nation's oldest and largest Hispanic civil rights group was the first to sue the state and ask for a preliminary injunction to prevent the law, also known as SB 4, from going into effect in September.
Related: Federal judge in SA considers fate of Texas 'sanctuary cities' law
During a news conference at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, where the group is holding its national convention this week, a LULAC lawyer was asked about the possibility that a judge will rule against the group.
"I don't even think that way. We have to prevail," LULAC national general counsel Luis Vera said. "People say, 'How can you say this?' Because we don't have a choice."
Raul Reyes, mayor of El Cenizo, a tiny community outside Laredo that is LULAC's first plaintiff in the lawsuit, echoed Vera's sentiments.
"Defeat is not an option. It can't be. This is bigger than LULAC. Bigger than El Cenizo. Bigger than Texas," Reyes said. "This will pretty much determine the future of our country."
Related: Second SB4 hearing held in Austin federal court
LULAC said opposition by law enforcement agencies, like the San Antonio Police Department, helps strengthen its case.
San Antonio Police Chief William McManus, who urged Gov. Greg Abbott not to sign the bill into law, said at the news conference that his officers already have their hands full without having to ask people they detain or arrest for their immigration status.
McManus said he disagrees with those who say the law won't allow for racial profiling.
"I mean that is laughable," McManus said. "Because how else do you determine to ask someone for their papers, other than their skin color or their accent. Or their lack of ability to speak the (English) language. What else do you base it on? That, ladies and gentlemen, is profiling in its pure form."
Related: Justice Department backs 'sanctuary city' law in court
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas offered his thoughts Thursday about the pending law.
"I, by and large, stay out of issues in the state legislature. We've got enough fights in Washington that I don't need to stick my nose into what's happening in Austin," he said. "As a federal policy, I think sanctuary cities are wrong, and we should not have jurisdictions defining immigration law. We should not have jurisdictions releasing violent criminal illegal aliens. We've seen that pattern all across the country."
Cruz was in San Antonio Thursday for an interview on a radio station.
Top state officials said that the law will prevent a patchwork of local immigration policies.
The Texas Attorney General's Office also filed a lawsuit asking a federal court to rule the law constitutional.
Both lawsuits and the preliminary injunction await rulings by federal judges in San Antonio and Austin.
Top state officials said that the law will prevent a patchwork of local immigration policies.
The Texas Attorney General's Office also filed a lawsuit asking a federal court to rule the law constitutional.
Both lawsuits and the preliminary injunction await rulings by federal judges in San Antonio and Austin.
--------------------------------------------------------
Don't miss a thing. Get email alerts from KSAT12 today.
Get alerted to news events as they happen or sign up for a scheduled news headline email that is delivered right to your inbox. Breaking news, severe weather, daily forecasts, entertainment news, all of the day’s important events to keep you up to date wherever you are.
Sign up today. It's Free.