Civil rights groups say parts of the new directive from the White House to step up enforcement of immigration laws are unconstitutional, 1200 WOAI reports.
The ACLU is warning that sending immigration agents to courthouses as a way to search for migrants violates the first amendment.
"The first amendment assures that anyone, including immigrants, can complain to or seek assistance from the government without fear of punishment," Joanne Lin, Senior Immigration Policy Counsel, todl News Radio 1200 WOAI
There have been reports around the country of ICE agents trolling courthouses, looking for migrants who are there. The ACLU fears this will stop migrants from seeing help or providing assistance to police.
There have been unconfirmed reports of this happening Bexar County.
Justin Tullius, with the group RAICES, is working with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund.
"Those reports are of grave concern because of the chilling effect ICE presence would have on family justice, criminal justice, and the operation of Texas law at our courthouse," he tells Newsradio 1200 WOAI.
Last week, DHS spokesperson David Lapan defended enforcement actions against immigrants who are victims in courthouses.
“Just because they’re a victim in a certain case does not mean there’s not something in their background that could cause them to be a removable alien. Just because they’re a witness doesn’t mean they might not pose a security threat for other reasons,” he said in a statement.
Lin disagrees
"It's crated a culture of fear that will further chill immigrant exercise access to their rights."