By Kevin Daley, DCNF

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton asked a federal appeals court Thursday to stay a lower court order that prohibits Texas from enforcing its anti-sanctuary cities law.

The law precludes municipal jurisdictions like cities and counties from adopting measures that circumscribe immigration enforcement, and it allows police to inquire as to the immigration status of any detained individual.

A federal judge in San Antonio stayed enforcement of the law Thursday, forbidding enforcement while the legislation is judged by the courts. The state asked the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse that ruling Thursday.

“Promoting the rule of federal and state law—not refusing to cooperate with enforcing the law when the federal government requests help, as plaintiffs wish—is a compelling public interest,” the motion reads. “And the Court’s finding of irreparable harm rests on its finding of a violation of constitutional rights, which is mistaken.”

“Texas has the sovereign authority and responsibility to protect the safety and welfare of its citizens,” Paxton said. “We’re confident SB 4 will ultimately be upheld as constitutional and lawful.”

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