Texas Brings the Heat! Citizens Can Now Go All the Way Against Sanctuary Cities!

Texas lawmakers are taking bold action to address concerns about crimes linked to illegal immigrants. A new bill proposes to allow Texans harmed by these crimes to sue local governments and police departments that enforce sanctuary policies, which critics say put communities at risk.

State Representative Terri Leo-Wilson (R-Galveston) has introduced House Bill 1645, giving victims and their families the power to hold local entities accountable if they fail to comply with immigration laws. This move, which aims to provide legal recourse for those affected, is expected to spark heated debates as it addresses one of the nation’s most contentious issues.

Holding Sanctuary Cities Accountable

If passed, HB 1645 would allow Texans injured or killed by crimes involving illegal immigrants to file lawsuits against city governments or university police departments that enforce sanctuary policies. These policies often prevent local authorities from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement, a practice critics argue undermines public safety.

For example, under this legislation, a city that releases an undocumented immigrant in violation of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers—and that individual later commits a crime—could face legal action. The bill also stipulates that entities enforcing sanctuary policies would lose sovereign immunity, meaning they could be sued and held financially liable for damages.

“Filing HB 1645 is about ensuring accountability and protecting Texans,” said Rep. Leo-Wilson. “Sanctuary cities that ignore ICE detainers put public safety at risk, and this legislation sends a clear message: if you release someone who goes on to commit a crime, you will be held responsible.”

A Widening Crisis

The issue comes amid growing concern over border security and illegal immigration. According to the Center of Migration Studies, approximately 11.7 million undocumented immigrants currently reside in the U.S., with 1.4 million living under formal deportation orders. Yet only about 13,000 of those individuals are incarcerated. For many Americans, this data underscores what they see as lax enforcement by the federal government.

Selene Rodriguez, Campaign Director for the Secure and Sovereign Texas Campaign at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, emphasized the importance of local compliance with immigration laws. “If a local entity or university refuses to comply with immigration enforcement, they are putting their community at risk. Texas is an anti-sanctuary state, and therefore every entity and political subdivision should fall in line and cooperate with immigration enforcement,” Rodriguez said.

Real Consequences for Public Safety

Supporters of the bill argue it’s about more than politics; it’s about protecting lives. Over the past two years, several high-profile cases involving crimes allegedly committed by illegal immigrants have drawn national attention, leaving many Texans calling for stricter accountability measures.

Rep. Leo-Wilson believes HB 1645 could deter sanctuary policies and restore a sense of security for Texans. “The bill allows victims or their families to pursue civil damages against jurisdictions that disregard ICE detainers, ensuring there are real consequences for these decisions. Our communities deserve to feel safe, and HB 1645 is a step toward restoring that security,” she said.

What’s Next?

The Texas Legislature will consider HB 1645 during its next session, which begins January 14, 2025. If enacted, the legislation could set a precedent for other states grappling with similar issues. However, it’s likely to face significant opposition from advocates of sanctuary policies, who argue these measures protect undocumented immigrants from unfair treatment.

For now, all eyes are on Texas as it attempts to balance public safety, state sovereignty, and the ongoing border crisis in one of the most ambitious legislative efforts to date.