APD chief opposes sanctuary city bill

AUSTIN (KXAN) - When it comes to illegal immigration, Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo says his officers already have a full plate. Right now, they ask a person for immigration status only if it is necessary to an investigation.

"I want my officers to focus on the violent crime that's happening in our community and the property crime that's occurring in our community and not necessarily on the illegal immigrant that might be looking for a day labor job at the home depot."

Acevedo has testified against the controversial “sanctuary city” bill passed Tuesday in the House. These are places where lawmakers do not question immigration status upon detaining a person, allowing illegal immigrants to live their easily.

Keep in mind, the Travis County Jail already has a Secure Communities initiative to run every inmate's name through the ICE database, and the chief does not foresee a change in his department’s immigration policy even if the bill passes.

"When we’re out there and there's a specific reason they need to know someone's status, they're not precluded from doing that,” he said.

Rep. Burt Solomons, R-Carrollton, the author of the sanctuary city bill, says it would not require police to do more. But it would make it possible to ask for immigration status, if they need to.

Still, some Democrats say it could mean some police will take it to the extreme. Instead of questioning those they need to, they might question any minority for any reason.

"Why do I have to carry my passport?” asked Rep. Armando Walle. “I was born in this country."

The Houston Democrat heard his hometown labeled a sanctuary city by Gov. Rick Perry earlier this session when he deemed it an emergency item. Walle, who disagrees with that designation and says Texas has no such cities, worries the bill could lead to racial profiling.

"It might be on a legitimate offense, but that gives that rogue person a license to now stop somebody because of the color of their skin,” he said.

His colleague, Rep. Larry Gonzales said, though he has no control over what a police officer actually does, an amendment he added to the bill will remind them what the law does not allow – racial profiling.

"It's already illegal,” said Gonzales. “That is not in the bill. It doesn't allow for that, yet that's one of the main arguments you hear against the bill."

The bill must now go to the Senate, something the Republicans are hurrying to get through in the final 20 days of the session.