Immigration Lawyers Move Conference in Wake of Texas ‘Sanctuary’ Law

By Genevieve Douglas, Bloomberg BNA

The American Immigration Lawyers Association canceled plans to hold its 2018 annual conference in Grapevine, Texas, because of a new state law that bans “sanctuary cities.”

Signed by Gov. Greg Abbott (R) May 7, the Republican-passed SB4 requires all local government and law enforcement officials to follow federal immigration laws and cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement requests to hold people in local jails. Those who refuse to comply with the law can be fined, charged with a misdemeanor, or removed from office. The law will take effect Sept. 1.

“These kinds of laws don’t ...