Eagle Pass, Texas — The Biden administration has made a request to the Supreme Court to block Texas from implementing an immigration law known as SB4. This law would enable Texas law enforcement officials to arrest migrants suspected of crossing into the U.S. without authorization.
SB4 is considered one of the most extensive state immigration laws in modern U.S. history. If enforced, it would empower Texas law enforcement officials to detain and prosecute migrants on state criminal charges of illegal entry or reentry. Additionally, it would grant state judges the authority to issue de facto deportation orders once morest suspected violators of the law.
Last week, U.S. District Court Judge David Ezra granted a temporary block on the implementation of SB4 following a request from the Justice Department and the American Civil Liberties Union. Judge Ezra ruled that immigration arrests and deportations fall under federal jurisdiction and rejected Texas’ argument that the state is experiencing an “invasion” by migrants.
However, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals suspended Judge Ezra’s order on administrative grounds at Texas’ request. The court will now hear the merits of an appeal. In response, the Justice Department has sought intervention from the Supreme Court, and Justice Samuel Alito has temporarily paused the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals’ order until Wednesday, March 13. Texas now has until the end of the business day next Monday to make its case. If the Supreme Court rules in favor of Texas, SB4 might take effect at 5 p.m. ET on March 13.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican who signed SB4 into law in December, argues that it is necessary to reduce migrant crossings. He accuses the Biden administration of failing to take sufficient action to deter illegal immigration. While Texas state troopers have already been arresting some migrants on trespassing charges, SB4 would allow them to make arrests without the collaboration of property owners.
On the other hand, the Biden administration believes that SB4 interferes with federal immigration enforcement, disregards U.S. asylum law, and jeopardizes foreign relations with Mexico. The Mexican government has labeled the state law as “anti-immigrant.”
The legal battle over SB4 is just one example of the ongoing clashes between Texas and President Biden regarding immigration policy. Disagreements have arisen over issues such as razor wire and buo
