Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is pushing for penalties — including possible arrest — for public officials who enact sanctuary city policies, Fox News reports.
Abbott's comments, a Republican, came during an interview on "Fox & Friends."
In addition to defunding Texas cities that adopt sanctuary policies for illegal immigrants, a bill passed by the Texas Senate, allows large fines to be levied against the municipalities and public officials could be prosecuted, Abbott said.
He said hopes to be able to sign the bill into law in the coming months.
"If you have a public official, including a sheriff, who continues to adopt sanctuary city policies after this ban goes into place, they could be criminally prosecuted and themselves wind up in jail — the place they are releasing dangerous criminals from," he said.
Abbott claimed Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez has adopted a sanctuary city policy. He said Hernandez's actions have already brought about penalties.
"I defunded government grants to that (county) to the tune of $1.5 million," he said. "But that is just for starters.
"Texas is going to come down hard on any on any city, any county (and) any public official that adopts a sanctuary city policy."
Meanwhile, Hernandez insists she is "following all state and federal laws," the Austin American-Statesman reported.
"I respect the job of our state leaders, but I will not allow fear and misinformation to be my guiding principles as a leader sworn to protect this community," she said.
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