Harris County Will Not Join Lawsuit Over Sanctuary City Law

HOUSTON, TX -- Commissioners of Harris County decided on Tuesday not to join a lawsuit field against the state concerning controversial Senate Bill 4.

SB4, which cracks down on so-called "sanctuary cities," was passed earlier this year and punishes those involved in assisting undocumented immigrants. It authorizes police to ask somebody's immigration status during regular traffic stops and allows for officials to be removed from office for not complying with the law.

Though Harris County decided not to join the lawsuit, the city of Houston did so alongside Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, El Paso County and the list is growing.

Click 2 Houston reported that Harris County Judge Ed Emmett said the decision does not mean the county necessarily agrees with Senate Bill 4, which goes into effect on Sept. 1. However, he disagrees with suing the state over it.

"We are an arm of state government," he said, according to Click 2 Houston. "So it would be like suing ourselves."

During the decision, a protester shouted "be brave. Be bold. Your time is up," from the back of the room. Before she was removed from the room, she said that that if they took no action, it would show their support for what some call the "show me your papers" law, according to Click 2 Houston.

Article image Eric Gay/Associated Press