Austin City Council passes resolution countering stalled state immigration law

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin City Council voted Thursday to move forward with a resolution that formally condemns Senate Bill 4 and directs the city manager "to work with certain stakeholders to enact policies intended to protect immigrant communities, and provide a report to Council," according to council documents.  

The resolution was brought forward by Council Member Vanessa Fuentes and aims to protect Austinites against the outcomes of SB4, should the law clear the legal challenges it's facing.

SB4 may eventually allow Texas peace officers to arrest people suspected of illegally crossing the border.

"We really want our police officers focused on investigating violent crime. That's where their time and resources should be spent. Not carrying out this policy that we know leads to racial profiling, that will separate families and could potentially lead to deportations," Fuentes said.

Council Member Mackenzie Kelly was the lone no vote on the resolution, she said on the dais that she did not believe the city level of government was the place to have the conversation versus having it at the state or federal level.

Even among law enforcement, SB4 has been controversial and the challenges against it are still playing out in court -- muddying the law even further.

Supporters say it's a tool to curb illegal crossings, pointing to the Biden administration for not doing enough to secure the border.

Austin's move Thursday adds to the long list of challenges Austin has poised to state lawmakers.

"I would rather their time be spent on fully funding our schools and expanding access to healthcare…absence of state leadership we will continue to bring forward policies that refute and condemn harmful legislation that we know is divisive and stoking fear in our community," Fuentes said.