Nationality Or Immigration Status Inquiry

Art. 2A.059. NATIONALITY OR IMMIGRATION STATUS INQUIRY. (a) Subject to Subsection (b), in the course of investigating an alleged criminal offense, a peace officer may inquire as to the nationality or immigration status of a victim of or witness to the offense only if the officer determines that the inquiry is necessary to: (1) investigate the offense; or (2) provide the victim or witness with information about federal visas designed to protect individuals providing assistance to law enforcement. (b) Subsection (a) does not prevent a peace officer from: (1) conducting a separate investigation of any other alleged criminal offense; or (2) inquiring as to the nationality or immigration status of a victim of or witness to a criminal offense if the officer has probable cause to believe that the victim or witness has engaged in specific conduct constituting a separate criminal offense. Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 765 (H.B. 4504), Sec. 1.001, eff. January 1, 2025.