HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Hays County Commissioner’s Court is expected to consider a resolution that says the unfair treatment of immigrants in federal custody is similar to that of those arrested during the January 6 insurrection.
Earlier this month, the Hays County Commissioner’s Court unanimously passed a resolution calling for humane treatment and due process for those detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the county.
That original resolution was proposed by Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra. At the time, Becerra said he brought the resolution up after federal immigration activity caused disorder across the county.
In April, more than 40 people were detained by ICE in San Marcos. The FBI at the time said those arrested were allegedly linked to the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua.
What makes this new resolution different?
The resolution to be discussed at this week’s meeting was proposed by Precinct 4 Commissioner Walt Smith.
The proposal has similar language to the already-approved resolution, and calls for fair “handling of all individuals by any agency or organization operating within our jurisdiction.”
The difference is a passage halfway down the page that compares arrests made in recent mass deportation efforts and raids to arrests made after the 2021 insurrection.
Thousands of Americans were arrested in raids, detained, prosecuted, and held chargeless for extended periods, with no access to counsel, and no clarification of charges or access to warrant information, many of which, including residents of Hays County, and the City of San Marcos, were subsequently released with no charges being filed and lacking basic due process following the events of January 6th, 2021 in Washington, DC
Resolution up for consideration by the Hays County Commissioner’s Court
The Hays County Democratic Party criticized the new resolution through a statement on its website.
It said in part: “Walt Smith’s proposal is a clear attempt to turn people who broke the law into victims. It’s a political stunt meant to please the extremist voices in his party, not a serious call for justice.”
The Hays County Commissioner’s Court meets at 9am Tuesday in San Marcos.
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