Officials: Hurricane Shelters Won't Ask Immigration Status
(CBSDFW.COM/AP) - Texas officials say shelters that are opening statewide as Hurricane Harvey barrels toward the coast won't ask arriving families about their immigration status.
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott said Friday the main focus is on safety and "the protection of life." Harvey is set to make landfall a week before a new "sanctuary city" crackdown in Texas signed by Abbott takes effect.
The law allows police officers to ask people about their immigration status during routine stops. It also threatens police chiefs and sheriffs with jail time if they don't cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
Texas' largest cities, including Dallas and Houston, have asked a federal judge to stop the law from taking effect Sept. 1
Abbott also expressed no concerns about inland U.S. Border Patrol checkpoints hampering evacuation efforts near the Texas-Mexico border.
Harvey has been upgraded to a dangerous Category 3 hurricane. It's expected to make landfall in Texas late Friday or early Saturday morning.
Abbott sent a letter to President Donald Trump requesting a Presidential Disaster Declaration as Harvey approaches the Texas Gulf Coast.
"Granting this request will provide Texans the additional resources needed to protect themselves, their property and rebuild their lives if necessary after Hurricane Harvey," said Abbott. "I spoke with President Trump yesterday and am confidant that he will move quickly to grant this request and provide the people of Texas with everything they need to recover from this storm."
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