SOCORRO, Texas (Border Report) – Border communities like Socorro were built and thrive to a large extend on their Spanish and immigrant heritage.

That’s why the prospect of challenging residents on their immigration status horrifies some local officials.

“We are not going to do the job of the federal government,” Mayor Rudy Cruz Jr. said. “If you pick a lock here, you will be dealt with by the local police agency. But if you’re an illegal immigrant or you have a status that is not considered to be favorable by the United States government, that is not something we are going to go after.”

The concern comes as the Texas Legislature on Sunday sent to Gov. Greg Abbott SB 8, a bill requiring county sheriffs to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement through a federal program

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