In a surprise ruling, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has blocked Texas from enforcing a harsh new anti-immigrant law that gives local police sweeping powers to arrest and deport anyone they suspected has entered the United States without authorization. The appeals court ruling came just hours after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the law could go into effect while the case is being heard by lower courts. Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed SB4 into law in December, but the law was challenged by the Biden administration. Oral arguments before the appeals court will be held today.
On Tuesday, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor criticized the Texas law, writing in her dissent, “This law will disrupt sensitive foreign relations, frustrate the protection of individuals fleeing persecution, hamper active federal enforcement efforts, undermine federal agencies’ ability to detect and monitor imminent security threats, and deter noncitizens from reporting abuse or trafficking.”
Authorities in Mexico have also condemned the Texas law.