In the News: Central Texas groups denounce the SAVE Act

On May 28, Central Texas community organizations, faith leaders, and political leaders held a press conference announcing their denunciation of the Secure America through Verification and Enforcement (SAVE) Act. They asked local politicians to join them in signing a national letter expressing their disapproval of the SAVE Act.  The press conference was led by Bob Libal, of Grassroots Leadership.  Speakers included Barbara Hines of the University of Texas School of Law Immigration Clinic, José Orta of Taylor LULAC, and Reverend Jim Rigby of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church.  

KLBJ was the first to cover the story.

The SAVE Act includes building new family detention facilities modelled on the T. Don Hutto Family Residential Facility in Taylor, Texas, which has met widespread criticism and a lawsuit.  The letter presented Wednesday calls on Congress to make good on its demands that ICE find the least restrictive setting for families, rather than housing them in carceral conditions.  

Juan Castillo at the Austin-American Statesman followed up in print, as well.

Central Texas signatories include Texans United for Families, Austin Immigrant Rights Coalition, State Representative Eddie Rodriguez, Catholic Charities of Austin, Rev. Rigby, Pastor Les Krebs of Prince of Pease Lutheran Church, PODER, Political Asylum Project of Austin, Ponce Law Office, Grassroots Leadership, Proyecto Defensa Laboral, La Nueva Raza, LULAC, District 12, Texas Jail Project, Texas Civil Rights Project, American Friends Service Committee, Code Pink Austin, MADRES, and Marcelo Tafoya, LULAC National Civil Rights Commissioner.