On August 30, 2017, a federal court granted an injunction blocking the key provisions of SB4 the “Show Me Your Papers” law while the case moves through the courts.

As a result of this ruling:

► Texas cities and counties can direct their officers not to serve in the role of immigration officers;

►  Local jails are not required to hold individuals based only on a request by ICE (detainer);

► Local officials and employees can criticize SB4 and speak in favor of changes in immigration enforcement without fear of punishment under SB4

► Although a local police officer can ask an individual about immigration status, the individual does not have to answer, the police officer cannot arrest the individual for being undocumented, and the police officer cannot serve as an immigration officer.

SB4 was scheduled to go into effect on Friday, September I, 2017.  However, MALDEF filed a lawsuit seeking to block SB4.  In this case, MALDEF represents Bexar County, the cities of San Antonio and El Paso, San Antonio Councilman Rey Saldaña, and several organizations:  La Union del Pueblo Entero, the Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education, and the Workers Defense Project.

What does the decision mean?

Parts of SB4 have been blocked and other parts will go into effect.  This means that even if a local police officer can ask an individual about immigration status, the individual does not have to answer, the police officer cannot arrest the individual for being undocumented, and the police officer cannot serve as an immigration officer.