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Houston Joining Lawsuit Against 'Sanctuary Cities' Law

HOUSTON (AP) - Houston city leaders have voted to join a lawsuit trying to halt a Texas law that would crackdown on "sanctuary cities."

Houston City Council voted 10-6, with one abstention, Wednesday to join the lawsuit, filed in San Antonio federal court.

Houston joins Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, El Paso County and several organizations, which are also challenging the law.

The law, which takes effect in September, would let police ask people about their immigration status during routine stops.

It also threatens elected officials with removal from office if they don't cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

Mayor Sylvester Turner said Houston is not going to act like Immigration and Customs Enforcement and "if there is any bill that says I could be removed because I make that pronouncement, I'm concerned with that."

(© Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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