AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: Late Tuesday night, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals put another hold on SB 4, once again blocking its enforcement. Learn more.
With the legal battle over Texas Senate Bill 4 raging on, local organization Mano Amiga is pushing to inform those who could be impacted by the law of their rights.
For months, people have rallied against SB 4, a law that would allow state police to arrest people they suspect came into Texas illegally. On Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court lifted a stay on the law, only for it to be blocked again as arguments play out in court.
Some Central Texas immigrant families are worried their communities will be uprooted and separated, including Marleney Cristano, who left Honduras for Texas 30 years ago.
"I feel and I hear in my community, sadness, frustration," Cristano, a Workers Defense community member, said. "They are taxpayers and they have rights and they have dignity in Texas."
Now, the focus is on informing people of their rights. The Hays County-based advocacy group Mano Amiga has been doing that.
Their first piece of advice is to have some kind of identification, even if it's an enhanced library card.
"For sure carry any type of ID," Nataly Avendano with Mano Amiga said. "We're recommending people to get the enhanced library ID card if they don't have access to any other type of identification. The enhanced ID card comes with a picture of yourself, date of birth and address."
The Immigrant Legal Resource Center said if a car is pulled over, only the driver is required to show ID. They said beyond that, in most situations, the driver has a right to remain silent and doesn't have to answer questions about their immigration status if they're asked. No one should ever provide false information.
Lastly, the ACLU said if anyone who is arrested should not agree to deportation without talking to an immigration lawyer.
That's a lot for families to think about.
"I have heard from people that they are thinking about leaving if that bill becomes permanent," Cristano said.
The Immigrant Legal Resource Center also created a travel advisory map to show what they say are the riskier places to travel in Texas.
Mano Amiga said it's helping the community put together family preparedness packets, with information like who's the power of attorney and who's allowed to be a caregiver for your children if deportation happens. It said those who feel they could be impacted should contact Mano Amiga for help finding resources.