FORT WORTH -- While some pro-immigration activists hailed Monday's Supreme Court ruling as a major victory, Sandra Tovar, a 24-year-old member of the "North Texas Dream Team" who lives in Fort Worth, wasn't celebrating.
"I'm very disappointed," said Tovar, a graduate of Texas A&M University who is a self-described Dreamer -- a college student or graduate who is an illegal immigrant seeking legal status. She said immigrants fear this law because loved ones can be deported through proceedings triggered by routine traffic stops.Tovar and other critics worry that police officers will also end up stopping American-born Hispanics."How do they know what an undocumented looks like?" Tovar asked.Gresia Martinez, 23, of Dallas has direct experience with that issue. Her father was deported soon after a traffic stop in Farmers Branch."I saw firsthand what it means to a family," she said. "I'm glad the court struck down parts of the law. It should have struck down all of it. Our community deserves respect."Jason Mills, an immigration attorney with an office on Fort Worth's north side, said the court's decision gave both sides of the debate reason to claim victory. Although the court left the door open for states to require immigration checks during traffic stops, it also set some restrictions on states' immigration-related enforcement, he said.Rene Martinez, director of the Texas League of United Latin American Citizens' District 3 said the ruling creates a big burden."What is the probable cause going to be?" he asked, alluding to Irving's past use of federal Homeland Security funds to get felons off the streets. He said that program resulted in a disproportionate number of Hispanic drivers being pulled over under pretexts such as a dirty license plate.Diane Smith, 817-390-7675Twitter: @dianestarAlex Branch, 817-390-7689Twitter: @albranch1Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
