In less than two weeks the state's ban on so-called "sanctuary cities" will take effect. Now residents in Arlington, the seventh-largest city in Texas, are asking leaders to consider joining a lawsuit against the ban.
At least one group that plans to attend Arlington's City Council meeting Tuesday night says the law would do nothing more than legalize racial profiling.
Arlington touts itself as the "American Dream City," home to undeniable culturally diverse pride. It's a place where business is booming and the dust of construction sites fills the air.
"I mean, we work hard, we build," said Arlington resident Concepcion Davalos, who's helping build the new city hall site. "We are decent, hard workers."
The city hall construction site is right next to the original building, where city council members will hear concerns about the sanctuary cities ban on Tuesday night. It's a discussion that could directly affect Davalos's siblings who were born in Mexico.
"I'm concerned. They got their papers, but what if they didn't?" Davalos said.
It's a concern local activist Richard Gonzales says many Arlington residents have as the Sept. 1 date approaches.
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"This law terrifies a number of people in our community, and they were thanking us, saying thank God someone is speaking up, someone is saying something to the city," Gonzales said.
Gonzales is part of a core group that is asking Arlington to consider joining other major Texas cities to vote in favor of filing a lawsuit against SB4 and "take a stand for all citizens."
"We want Arlington to truly be a dream city," he said.
An Arlington police spokesman told NBC 5, "We do not inquire about immigration status while conducting field activities such as responding to calls for service, conducting traffic stops, or making citizen contacts in the field. SB4 impacts jail operations more than anything else."
Members of Arlington's police command staff will attend the council meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Other cities that have joined in on the lawsuit include Austin, Dallas and San Antonio.
