Monica Chavez BROWNSVILLE– Last Tuesday, the Texas civil rights project conducted an informative session about Senate Bill 4 at the Brownsville campus. The next day a federal appeals court extended the block on SB 4 in a 2 – 1 decision—while the legal case continues.
The Fifth U.S. circuit court of appeals blocked senate bill four mid-March—-shortly after the Supreme Court permitted its enforcement, leaving the future of immigrants uncertain.
The Texas Civil Rights Project aims to educate Hispanic communities on how to respond during police encounters for reasonable suspicion of entering the country illegally. Humanitarian outreach coordinator, Denisse Molina says one of the most important things to remember is the fifth amendment.
“Regardless of your citizenship status under the constitution, you have the right to remain silent and continually reinforce that right. If you’re being subjected to any arrest, any prosecution in general, to any crime.” Molina said.
Texas civil rights project attorney Aron Thorn warns that under SB 4, refusing to comply with a return order can lead to a second-degree felony charge in Texas, carrying a prison sentence of two 2 to 20 years. Thorn says it is very important for the community to be aware of their right to a lawyer
“It is critical before you take one of these orders to return that you talk to a lawyer, including an immigration lawyer, because regardless of what the state does, even if the state is illegally deporting you. Immigration law depends really, heavily on somebody maintaining a physical presence in the United States.” Thorn said.
Civil Engineer senior David Castillo shares his thoughts on s-b-4. “It makes people look like they only have one personality trait. Like if they are only Hispanic or Latin, when the people can be so much more and, well, it’s wrong to profile them.” Castillo said.
The fifth circuit is expected to review SB 4’s legality and constitutionality on April third.
Visit TXCIVILRIGHTS.ORG for updates on SB 4.
