Austin, Texas – Hundreds of people gathered in front of the Texas Capitol on Saturday morning to protest against Senate Bill 4, a controversial immigration bill set to go into effect on Wednesday. The bill would grant state and local law enforcement the power to arrest and deport individuals they suspect entered the country illegally, sending them back to Mexico. Protesters aimed to send a message to Texas lawmakers, calling for the rejection of what they deemed to be racist, degrading, and aggressive laws.
During the rally, demonstrators staged a visual demonstration featuring 15-foot puppets and a Danza Azteca dance performance. Sarah Cruz, a border immigrant strategist with the ACLU, emphasized the importance of border communities and their contributions to the state of Texas. She stated that the purpose of the demonstration was to showcase the true essence of these communities and to challenge the perception created by Senate Bill 4.
Opponents of the immigration bill argue that granting local law enforcement the authority to regulate immigration is unconstitutional. Cruz, representing the ACLU, highlighted that enforcing immigration law is the responsibility of the federal government. Concerns were also raised about potential racial profiling, as the bill would give law enforcement the power to stop individuals based on their appearance. Moreover, opponents argued that the bill would indiscriminately deport all immigrants back to Mexico, even if they are not originally from there, potentially subjecting them to further risks and violations of human rights.
Senate Bill 4 has faced significant legal challenges since its signing into law in December. Civil rights organizations, along with the Department of Justice, have filed lawsuits against the state of Texas, asserting that the bill violates the constitution. The bill was initially scheduled to go into effect on March 9, but the U.S. Supreme Court issued a temporary stay on the decision by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court, delaying it until Wednesday, March 13.
The ACLU has been actively engaged with elected officials to understand the potential impact of Senate Bill 4’s implementation on different communities, should it come into effect. While its future remains uncertain pending further court intervention, the protests in Austin served as a powerful display of opposition to the controversial immigration bill.