Henry Rodgers, DCNF

A federal appeals court upheld a majority of Texas law that targets sanctuary cities and cracks down on illegal immigration Tuesday afternoon.

A three-judge panel in New Oreans’ 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Texas’ current immigration enforcement laws are constitutional. Senate Bill 4 enacted the law allowing local law enforcement officers to question the immigration status of people they detain or arrest, The Texas Tribune reported.

The only part of the bill that remains on hold is a provision punishing local government leaders and or elected officials who refuse to cooperate with federal immigration officials, such as the mayor of Oakland, Calif., who tipped off residents of an immigration raid.

Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott sent out a tweet in support of the federal courts ruling, saying “Allegations of discrimination were rejected” and the “Law is in effect.”

BREAKNG: Texas Ban on Sanctuary City Policies upheld by Federal Court of Appeals. Allegations of discrimination were rejected. Law is in effect. — Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) March 13, 2018

“It is lawful, constitutional, and protects the safety of law enforcement officers and all Texans,” Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton tweeted in support of the ruling.

Breaking! The Sanctuary Cities Ban has been upheld by the 5th Circuit. It is lawful, constitutional, and protects the safety of law enforcement officers and all Texans. — Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) March 13, 2018

Texas is the first state where these immigration laws will be implemented.

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