Texas Governor Declares 'Emergency Ban' On Sanctuary Cities Amid Feud With Travis County Sheriff

AUSTIN, TX — In his "state of the state address" before the Texas Legislature, Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday declared an emergency ban on so-called sanctuary cities not aggressively enforcing federal immigration laws by arresting residents suspects to be undocumented for deportation.

Abbott's directive comes on the heels of a festering feud with newly elected Sheriff Sally Hernandez, whose more relaxed policy centers on felons and sexual abuse offenders among immigrant communities. The Travis County sheriff secured about 60 percent of the vote in November in a county less tolerant of across-the-board deportations for all undocumented residents than the more aggressive policies practiced elsewhere in Texas.

"Elected officials do not to pick and chose which laws to enforce," Abbott said in a thinly veiled reference to Hernandez. He added that state and local officials "must protect Texas" from deadly criminals.

"This will be the session where we ban sanctuary cities," he said, his pronouncements met with spontaneous cheers and a standing ovation from fellow conservatives. The remarks were made during a joint session of the state Legislature.

Abbott and Hernandez have stood firm on their respective stances on the issue, the latter vowing to focus on hardened criminals and the former threatening to cut off some $1.8 million in grants to the county if she failed to acquiesce to his directive.

The governor previously gave the sheriff until Wednesday to rescind her chosen policy or face the cutoff in funds, and went on the program "Fox & Friends" to say he is seeking legislation that will allow him to remove the sheriff from office.

Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt entered the fray last week, pleading with the governor to rethink his mulled ban on grants. In so doing, Eckhardt outlined the many county programs that would be jeopardized — programs devoted to the welfare of families, women and children in Texas — should the funds cutoff take effect. The governor was unmoved by the judge's pleas, directing a subordinate to pen a letter reinstating his firm stance as it relates to undocumented residents in general.

>>> Official photo of Gov. Greg Abbott above via State of Texas