Castro Warns of Racial Profiling if new Border Law is Enforced

In a recent post on social media, Texas Representative Joaquin Castro (D) warned of the possible racial profiling that could result from the enforcement of S.B. 4.

“If SB 4 goes into effect, Latino families across Texas will be harassed and hurt for looking like immigrants. I’m relieved to see the DOJ heed our calls to act. This law is unconstitutional, racist, & dangerous. Read our letter from earlier this month: https://castro.house.gov/imo/media/doc/letter_to_the_department_of_justice_-_sb_4.pdf,” tweeted Rep. Castro.

In the letter, the Texas congressman compared S.B. 4 to previous legislation that employed the use of “brutal tactics” which included using “military-style tactics” to remove migrants from the border. Furthermore, the letter highlighted how the inhumane tactics were justified by using Mexican stereotypes to dehumanize the migrants who attempted to cross the border.

Rep. Castro emphasized how migrants have certain rights that should not be infringed upon regardless of the color of their skin. Moreover, because of the nature of the bill and its nebulous language, some fear it could target specific people based on the color of their skin.

The San Antonio lawmaker stated that he was concerned that migrants could be “harassed and hurt for looking like immigrants.” This claim further highlights how legal citizens who are perceived as being migrants may be subjected to harassment because of their ethnicity.

Rep. Castro has continued to fight against the multiple border security measures implemented by the Abbott administration.

Recently, Rep. Castro took time to question Trump’s former Homeland Security Chief, Chad Wolf, for his stance on immigration and family separation policies.

“I asked Trump's former Homeland Security chief if he would push for family separation again if Trump returned to power,” said Rep. Castro in a tweet.

“His response? ‘All options should be on the table.’”

The congressman continued, “Almost 1,000 children are still separated from their families. This is monstrous.”

Family separation policies that were popular during the Trump administration have faced much scrutiny. Yet, some lawmakers view them as useful measures to stop the influx of migrants. Nevertheless, opponents of the tactics claim that the measures use inhumane treatment and cruelty to children. Furthermore, the measures have had lasting impacts that lasted to this day.