austin texas texas republican governor greg abbott sign law sunday measure punish sanctuary cities despite plea police chiefs state big cities halt bill say would hind ability fight crime texas measure come republican u.s. president donald trump make combat illegal immigration priority texas estimate 1.5 million illegal immigrants long border mexico u.s. state forefront immigration debate governor top priority public safety bill further objective keep dangerous criminals streets abbott say statement law take effect sept. 1. republican-dominated legislature pass bill party-line vote send measure abbott early month would punish local authorities abide request cooperate federal immigration agents police officials find violation law could face removal office fin year prison convict measure also allow police ask people immigration status lawful detention even minor infractions like jaywalk anti-sanctuary city measure may face tough road federal judge april block trump executive order seek withhold fund local authorities use resources advance federal immigration laws democrats warn measure could lead unconstitutional racial profile civil right group promise fight texas measure court legislation bad texas make communities dangerous police chiefs cities include houston dallas write opinion piece dallas morning news late april say immigration federal obligation law would stretch already meager resources turn local police immigration agents police chiefs say measure would widen gap police immigrant communities create class silent victims eliminate potential assistance immigrants solve prevent crimes one sponsor bill republican state representative charlie geren say house debate bill would effect immigrants country illegally commit crime also add sanctuary cities texas present measure would prevent emerge texas governor sign law bill punish 'sanctuary cities