Following Hays County鈥檚 footsteps, the AG真人百家乐 County Commissioners Court passed a resolution that calls for constitutional and humane treatment of all immigrants amid the Trump's administration's aggressive immigration enforcement.
The resolution passed Tuesday and asks any law enforcement agency relocating or detaining immigrants in AG真人百家乐 County to provide a prompt report indicating who was taken, where they were transported and why they were detained.
It also asks law enforcement officers to wear body cameras and uniforms that clearly identify themselves and their agency, and to avoid covering their face unless it's necessary for health reasons.
AG真人百家乐 County Commissioner Brigid Shea called the resolution a powerful reminder of everyone鈥檚 fundamental rights.
鈥淟et鈥檚 pass these across the country so people are reminded that basic constitutional rights are being violated,鈥� Shea said.
Immigration lawyers and former judges have said the Trump administration has attempted to weaken due process by using the Alien Enemy Act of 1798 to speed up deportations, as The tactic was used in Hays County in April when more than 40 people were arrested over an alleged connection to a Venezuelan gang.
While the county doesn鈥檛 have authority to make Immigration and Customs Enforcement or other federal agencies comply with the resolution, Pflugerville City Council Member Rudy Metayer said the resolution does show support to the immigrant community.
鈥淓fforts like this make a demonstrative impact to everyone in the community, making sure they understand that you鈥檙e heard and you鈥檙e respected and you鈥檙e loved," Metayer said. "Not just by your family, not just by your friends and your neighbors, but your community leaders.鈥�
The resolution also calls on law enforcement officials to recognize due process and equal protection for everyone in AG真人百家乐 County, regardless of immigration status.
Austin resident Susana Carranza said she was surprised the county needed to make a proclamation calling for constitutional rights.
鈥淏ut I鈥檓 glad that at least AG真人百家乐 County is putting it in words so that it's clear that due process means due process for everyone,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou stand on U.S. soil, you are entitled to due process. It鈥檚 not for some, it鈥檚 for all.鈥�
In a statement to KUT News, the AG真人百家乐 County Sheriff's Office said 鈥淭CSO firmly believes in the humane treatment of everyone in AG真人百家乐 County. We want victims to run to us, not away from us.鈥�
The Austin Police Department did not respond to requests for comment before publication.
