There’s a new law in Texas that makes it a felony to harbor undocumented immigrants, reports The Texas Tribune. In response to the legislation, a national civil rights group is suing the state. The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund filed suit this week against Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Public Safety Commission.
The organization alleges that the state has violated the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause, as immigration enforcement is only a federal responsibility. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of two San Antonio landlords and the director of an immigrant services agency.
The legislation in question went into effect in September. The law makes it a felony to “encourage or induce a person to enter or remain in this country in violation of federal law.” Critics of the bill say it unfairly targets religious and nonprofit organizations that care for immigrants.
