Text of article effective on January 01, 2025
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.