SXSW to Remain in Austin Despite Outcry Over Anti-Immigration Law

Senate Bill 4 (SB4), which was passed in May of this year, effectively bans sanctuary cities in the state of Texas.

According to Pitchfork, “[the] bill requires local officials to enforce federal immigration laws, and allows those officials to question the immigration status of anyone they arrest.”

“We stand by the City of Austin in their challenge against SB4 and will continue to speak out against it, and all discriminatory legislation,” Swenson said in response to the Senators’ request.

Before the 2017 festival, “Multiple artists scheduled to play … were denied entry into the United States” due to a clause in the artist contract “concerning the possible deportation of international artists.”