AUSTIN (KXAN)—As the federal government continues mass deportations across the country, Travis County took a step to try to ensure immigrants in its community are treated fairly.
Travis County Commissioners’ Court members unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday to reaffirm the “constitutional and humane treatment of immigrants in the custody of any U.S. law enforcement agency, and calling due process and the protection of habeas corpus.”
The resolution was sponsored by Travis County Judge Andy Brown and Commissioner Margaret Gómez.
Hispanic Advocates Business Leaders of Austin (HABLA) reached out to Brown, asking for him to sponsor the agenda item. This came after a similar resolution, sponsored by Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra, passed last week.
“Our action plan moving forward is to get other cities and counties to adopt the same resolution to remind people, even elected officials who oppose immigrants, that they took an office to support the Constitution and Bill of Rights,” said Paul Saldaña, co-founder of HABLA.
The resolution reads in part, “The Constitution of the United States and its Bill of Rights guarantee fundamental rights—such as due process and equal protection—to all people within the country’s borders, regardless of citizenship or immigration status, and Travis County is firmly committed to upholding these protections in accordance with the law…”