State Rep. Victoria Neave went to Mass at the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe in downtown Dallas on Sunday and took a Communion wafer. She said it's the last meal she's going to have through Wednesday.

Victoria Neave ( / )

That's when the Texas House is set to debate the so-called sanctuary cities bill, which Neave opposes. The bill would ban cities, counties and universities from adopting "sanctuary" policies that prevent local law enforcement agencies from asking about a person's immigration status or enforcing immigration law.

"I want people to know how terrible this law is," said Neave, a Democrat who represents District 107, which includes parts of Dallas, Mesquite and Garland.

Supporters of the bill say it's necessary to stop unauthorized immigrants in jail from being released and going on to commit more serious crimes. But critics, like Neave, worry that the legislation will have a "chilling effect" on immigrants, making them afraid to report crimes committed against them or to testify in court for fear of being deported.

Neave said the issue is driving "so much fear in our community." She pointed to an immigration forum earlier this year that packed 1,000 people into a Mesquite high school cafeteria.

The proposal would charge local law enforcement officials with a class A misdemeanor if they don't comply with federal immigration authorities. The House's version of the bill eliminates a Senate provision that would cut state funding to the entities whose officials are punished.

Also at issue is whether officers should be allowed to ask about a person's immigration status during any police stop. The House bill again takes a softer stance than the Senate version, barring officers from asking about immigration status until a person is arrested.

Opponents of the sanctuary cities ban find the legislation problematic, even with the House version's changes. Neave said fasting was a spiritual matter for her and that she hopes others would join in protesting the bill.

"At this point, we're hoping for a miracle," she said.