Our founding attorney, Susham M. Modi, recently attended and participated in a panel titled “Senate Bill 4, the ‘Anti-Sanctuaries Cities’ Law: The Legislative Process, SB-4’s Constitutionality, Protecting the Immigration Communities, and Issues Concerning Enforcement.” Professor Modi during his time on the panel specifically articulated to the audience the potential rights people have with this new law, including rights they may have when stopped during a traffic violation, rights they may have at home against unreasonable search and seizures as well as when individual’s meet requirements for bond or parole if placed in removal proceedings and they want to be released from detention to be reunited with family members.
Senate Bill 4 (SB-4) is, of course, the immigration law passed this year by the State of Texas. A broad overview of the law indicates it is an “anti-sanctuary city law,” but it does much more than removing funding from cities which refuse to comply with immigration policies. The police aren’t the only ones who will be enforcing immigration. The law enlists city council members, sheriffs, district and city attorneys, and even college campus police to comply with immigration law and prohibits them from “materially limiting” anyone from checking into a person’s immigration status. If they do, state officials can remove from office any elected or appointed official who fits that description.
The law also encourages people to turn in their government or university officials for noncompliance and protects individuals who are sued for “complying” with the law. Texas taxpayers will be footing any state costs for the defense of people who incur litigation as a result of the law.
Currently, the city of San Antonio is suing the state and its governor to stop the state from implementing the law this September. The suit was filed by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund on behalf of the city, three nonprofit organizations, and San Antonio City Council Member Rey A. Saldaña. The suit argues the law is unconstitutional on many fronts, is discriminatory and threatens to create arbitrary and inconsistent law enforcement across the state.
If you’re concerned by SB-4 and its effect on you and your family, don’t hesitate to give us a call. Our Houston immigration attorney can take a look at your case and give you sound legal advice as to what you may need to do to protect yourself and your family from potential discrimination. The Modi Law Firm, PLLC understands that the stakes can be high with immigration law. Our team is committed to providing effective, attentive, and personalized legal counsel to our clients. You will never be just a case number to us. Let us see how we can help. In addition to a private practice owner, our founding attorney is also an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Houston Law Center. He is responsible for teaching upper-level students working on various complex immigration cases, so he is extremely knowledgeable about the ins and outs of immigration law. Contact us at 832.514.4030 or fill out our online form to schedule a case evaluation today. We look forward to speaking with you.