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SB 164

Relating to state, local, and court involvement in determining whether victims and witnesses to an offense and certain detained, arrested, or incarcerated persons are lawfully present in the United States.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Carol Alvarado and 4 co-sponsors

SB 164 authorizes Texas state and local officials to verify immigration status of crime victims, witnesses, and detained persons, potentially affecting case cooperation and victim service access.

Referred to State Affairs
#aliens(i0032) #citygovernment--general(i0060) #countygovernment--general(i0096) #lawenforcement(i0510) #politicalsubdivisions(i0588)
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Bill Summary · SB 164

Legislative bill overview

SB 164 would authorize state, local, and court officials in Texas to determine and verify the immigration status of crime victims, witnesses, and detained or arrested persons. The bill establishes a framework for these determinations as part of criminal justice proceedings and victim services administration.

Why is this important

Immigration status verification in criminal justice contexts affects how victims access services, whether witnesses cooperate with law enforcement, and detention procedures. This has real consequences for crime reporting rates, case prosecution, and the relationship between immigrant communities and the justice system, particularly in a state with significant immigrant populations.

Potential points of contention

  • Victim and witness cooperation: Requiring immigration status checks may discourage undocumented immigrants from reporting crimes or testifying, potentially obstructing justice and leaving crimes unsolved
  • Resource allocation: Determining who qualifies for victim services based on legal status could create administrative burdens and raise questions about service equity and constitutional due process protections
  • Community-police relations: Immigration enforcement involvement in criminal justice may damage trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities, affecting public safety cooperation
  • Scope ambiguity: The bill's language regarding "lawfully present" determinations and which agencies conduct checks remains unclear and could create inconsistent implementation

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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