SAN ANTONIO (AP) - A Texas judge has dismissed substantial parts of the attorney general's first "sanctuary cities" lawsuit that alleges the San Antonio police chief obstructed enforcement of state immigration law.

Attorney General Ken Paxton's lawsuit accuses Police Chief William McManus of releasing 12 immigrants suspected of entering the U.S. illegally. It was a rare enforcement of Texas' 2017 Senate Bill 4, which penalizes local officials who restrict federal immigration enforcement. It's considered one of the toughest state laws targeting illegal immigration.

The San Antonio Express-News reports that State District Judge Tim Sulak rejected three claims in the suit on July 2. Sulak concluded pertinent portions of the bill weren't enforced at the time because of a provisional block by federal courts.

Paxton's office can't appeal Sulak's dismissal until the case has been resolved.

Information from: San Antonio Express-News, http://www.mysanantonio.com

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