Turner to ask City Council to join suits challenging state's 'sanctuary cities' law

HOUSTON – Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said Thursday he will ask the City Council to join lawsuits that challenge the state’s newly passed “sanctuary cities” law.

The law was one of the legislative priorities laid out by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in his State of the State address. He signed it into law last month.

The measure allows for governments that violate the law to be fined up to $25,500 a day; sheriffs and police chiefs can be charged with misdemeanors for refusing to comply with federal detainer requests; elected and appointed officials can be removed from office for violations of the law.

Opponents of the law, like the American Civil Liberties Union, said it threatens to turn Texas into a “show me your papers state.”

Turner said via Twitter that he will make his request to council members this month.

Without an injunction, the law takes effect in September.

Stay with KPRC 2 and Click2Houston.com for the latest on this developing story.

CNN contributed to this report.

Download the Click2Houston news app in your app store to stay up-to-date with the latest news while you're on the go.

Sign up for KPRC 2 newsletters to get breaking news, sports, entertainment, contests and more delivered straight to your email inbox.