As Texas Governor Greg Abbott ramps up his rhetoric against "Sanctuary" cities, Mayor Ivy Taylor is highlighting the San Antonio Police Department's policy of not asking people about their immigration status.
“The highest priority for any city is public safety. Without law and order, you get chaos,” Taylor said in a press release. “It is obvious our current procedures have worked to improve public safety and reinforce our community policing success.”
Earlier this week, SAPD Chief William McManus explained to council members during a committee meeting that police officers do not ask about citizenship when they pull someone over for a traffic violation. The only time SAPD calls the feds for immigration matters is if they arrest someone who has a federal warrant.
“Our police department has to concentrate their efforts on answering service calls and ensuring the safest and best quality of life for our citizens,” Taylor says. “However, we will not harbor criminals, nor will we protect them. What we will do is prosecute them, regardless of citizenship status.”
The SAPD is working toward putting this procedure into writing in the police manual.
“Citizenship status is a federal matter and is not the role of our municipal police department,” said Mayor Taylor.