2024-03-05 01:54:32
The order was issued by Judge Samuel Alito on Monday, suspending the law from taking effect until March 13, and requesting a response from the state of Texas by March 11.
Law SB-4 in Texas criminalizes irregular immigration
These detained individuals might accept an order from a Texas judge to leave the country or face misdemeanor charges related to illegal entry into the United States.
Migrants who refuse to leave the country following receiving the order might be detained once more and face more serious charges.
SB-4 Law in Texas: End of the balance of immigration issues between the federal and state governments?
The Justice Department argued before the Supreme Court that this law would profoundly alter the balance established for almost 150 years between the federal government and the states on immigration matters.
In addition, he warned that it would have significant adverse effects on the bilateral relationship between the United States and Mexico, and might create chaos in the application of federal immigration laws in Texas.
The federal government also cited a previous Supreme Court ruling in 2012 related to an Arizona law that allowed the detention of people for federal immigration violations.
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1/15
Univision 23 News had access to one of the prisons where immigrants arrested under the SB4 law might be taken. The place has 40 square foot cells and a capacity for 22 detainees. Furthermore, because it is a temporary prison, migrants and common criminals might be found in this same place. We show you the images.
Credit: Michael D’Angostino
2/15
Is this the place for immigrants? A prison officer was asked and responded: “No, not everyone is here.” In an interview Ryan Urrutia, commander assigned to the patrol division of the El Paso Sheriff’s Office, Texas. “SB4 will likely have an impact on the El Paso community, really an impact on the prisons.”
Credit: Carlos Arturo Albino
3/15
At this site, undocumented immigrants are registered and their fingerprints are taken to register them. These prisons are temporary, so undocumented immigrants and criminals would be sharing cells.
Credit: Carlos Arturo Albino
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4/15
Melissa López, immigrant activist and defender, believes that Law SB4 might also affect citizens who might be arrested for having a certain “racial profile.” “I don’t understand how I, as a Governor, who says he is Catholic, agrees with a law that is going to presume so many things. That is also the danger, that not only more migrants are going to be affected. How many citizens are going to be detained or imprisoned by this law as well?”
Credit: Carlos Arturo Albino
5/15
“How do we know who is who? We don’t have the training. Federal immigration law is very complicated. You know, very complicated and to say that we can simplify it with a state law is that I don’t understand how we are going to be able to do it,” Rayn Urrutia , commander assigned to the patrol division of the Sheriff of El Paso, Texas.
Credit: Carlos Arturo Albino
6/15
These are the toilets and bathrooms that they will have to share in the prison. They are only separated by men and women and one of these can accommodate up to 16 people, who must even share the showers to bathe.
Credit: Carlos Arturo Albino
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7/15
This is the dining area and common areas, they have small windows and cracks.
Credit: Carlos Arturo Albino
8/15
If an undocumented immigrant is arrested at the border, they might end up in a cell like this. It is 40 square feet per person and can accommodate up to 22 detainees.
Credit: Carlos Arturo Albino
9/15
In the same cell there is a toilet, a small mirror and a sink that must be shared between several inmates.
Credit: Carlos Arturo Albino
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10/15
It is uncertain for El Paso County Sheriff’s Office officials how they will operate with the entry into force of SB4. “We will not actively prioritize this law, but we will actively prioritize the law that will be put into effect,” he says, “And if our officers find it, they may have to make arrests. We will not participate in task forces because we believe that the community that we serve, regardless of their status here and their willingness to come forward as a victim of a crime, might be affected by this law,” says Ryan Urrutia, commander of the El Paso Sheriff’s patrol division.
Credit: Michael D’Angostino
11/15
Commander Urrutia says that Law SB4 might cause racial profiling. “This law might cause racial profiling, you know, just because you look a certain way doesn’t mean you’re here illegally. It’s very, very confusing.”
Credit: Carlos Arturo Albino
12/15
Univision 23 News traveled to the southern border of the United States and was able to witness the situation of immigrants who arrive in search of new opportunities. While some surrender to the Border Patrol, others invade properties and hide in the homes of residents, who expressed their concern regarding this situation.
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AP Photo/Christian Chavez
13/15
Children play inside a migrant shelter in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, on Monday, June 26, 2023.
Credit: AP Photo/Christian Chavez
14/15
Sobeida González is a Venezuelan migrant who crossed the southern border of the United States irregularly. This woman remains in a shelter in El Paso, Texas, and she must wear a shackle installed by immigration authorities. She calmly assures that she feels “as if she were a criminal” and that she does not deserve to be forced to use that device.
15/15
Before the entry into force of the SB4 law, lawyer Iris Torres answered some frequently asked questions from the community and explained that the measure only focuses on those who participate in human trafficking. According to the lawyer, Uber drivers should not worry and indicates that if in any situation an agent asks you regarding your immigration status, “you can avoid answering the question.”
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