ACLU chapters in Arizona and other states are issuing a new travel advisory for Texas after Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law a bill that puts immigration enforcement into the hands of state agencies. 

The law goes into effect in March and makes crossing the border without permission a state crime, enforceable by local authorities.

Victoria Lopez, director of program and strategy for the ACLU of Arizona, says that could cause racial profiling.

We know based on our experience with SB 1070 in Arizona that educating the public, ensuring that our immigrant communities know their rights, know the status of the law and what’s happening is critically important," she said. "We know based on circumstances in Arizona, as well as other states that passed copycat SB 1070 laws, that the risk of racial profiling of immigrants, as well citizens and people who are documented and undocumented, is high."

SB 1070 had local law enforcement ask for proof of citizenship or legal residency during routine traffic stops and was largely ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

Lopez says the travel advisory, issued by Arizona’s ACLU chapter and those in New Mexico, Oklahoma and Arkansas, is one tool to give communities a chance to learn about how the law could affect them. The ACLU’s national wing and its Texas chapter have also filed suit against the law, arguing it’s unconstitutional.