Opponents of the legislation continue challenging Texas Senate Bill 4, which demands that local government agencies and their employees engage in federal immigration enforcement practices. Those against the governor approved law state that the measure is unconstitutional and imperils local law enforcement departments from serving their intended purpose of protecting their areas effectively.
In Maverick County , Sheriff Tom Schmerber and Constable for Pct 3AB Mario Hernandez and Maverick County as a governing body have adjoined the legal battle and were in San Antonio, Texas on Monday June 26, 2017 as the legal process began.
Maverick County Judge David R. Saucedo and Maverick County Sheriff Department Grants Administrator Ignacio Saucedo were present at the court hearing together with the other plaintiffs.
“We’re joining our counterparts from El Cenizo, Bexar County, Travis County, El Paso County, and the cities of Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio in Federal Court today to stand up against Senate Bill 4. Together with LULAC, The ACLU, and MALDEF, we're proud to join the fight against a thinly veiled, unconstitutional bill that would only encourage racial profiling and burden our peace officers with tasks best left in the hands of our skilled federal agents,” said Judge Saucedo.
Maverick County Judge David R. Saucedo and the Commissioners Court recently adjoined Sheriff Tom Schmerber and Precinct 3AB Constable Mario Hernandez in the lawsuit.
Judge Saucedo spoke candidly to the News Gram over the issue and the things that he, as the head of a community in which almost 97 percent of the population Hispanic, sees wrong with trying to force such law upon local agencies.
“This is a very important issue to Maverick County and to the many residents that live along the border in Texas,” said Saucedo. “I think it’s obvious that this is a discriminatory law and it’s very evasive, not very sound and it has a lot of holes. When I say that I mean there isn’t any direction. You know you’re supposed to detain somebody and ask them their status. Well , what are you supposed to do after that?”
Saucedo said one of his main concerns is the fact that the local law enforcement agencies could be subject to legal ramifications if forced to act as immigration officers and something were to go wrong.
“There is a mandate under SB4 and you’re going to be required to possibly detain people. What’s going to happen when you detain someone and you detain them illegally? They’re going to come back and sue the county,”said Saucedo.
Saucedo said his priorities are first and foremost to assure the well being of the community.
“I am proud to be part of a fight that involves other communities that are fighting for the rights of the citizens,” said Saucedo.