NCLR Stands with Texas Communities Opposed to SB 4
At the June 2017 meeting in Phoenix, the NCLR Board of Directors unanimously passed a resolution opposing Texas Senate Bill 4 (SB 4).
The Texas law, which goes into effect in September if implemented, is reminiscent of Arizona’s infamous SB 1070 law—the “show me your papers” bill. That bill also sought to force local and state law enforcement to act as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. SB 4 would allow law enforcement to engage in racial profiling of Hispanic communities in Texas, and make it permissible for police officers to inquire about anyone’s immigration status.
Despite backlash from police chiefs all over Texas, SB 4 asserts that should law enforcement officers choose not to comply with these new duties, they could face Class A misdemeanor charges and a hefty fine.
As the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, NCLR strongly opposes SB 4. Our resolution states:
“NCLR will continue to raise our voices in opposition to SB 4, support work to network and organize communities in Texas against the law, and work with national partners to engage in collective action that holds elected officials in Texas accountable for any violations of basic rights that stem from this law.”
For decades, we have committed ourselves to strengthening this great nation by promoting the advancement of the Latino community. Our resolution to oppose SB 4 is part of our ongoing work to #ProtectAndDefend the progress we have made as a community. NCLR will continue to uphold the core values of this nation and continue to advocate for Latinos, while also fearlessly fighting back against bigotry and intolerance.
