The Supreme Court temporarily halted a new Texas immigration law at the request of the Biden administration. The law, known as SB4, permits police to arrest migrants who cross the border illegally and imposes criminal penalties. The court’s decision to block the law until March 13 provides time for all nine justices to deliberate on the issue further.
In response to the Biden administration’s plea, conservative Justice Samuel Alito issued the order to freeze the lower court decision allowing the law to take effect on March 10. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar argued that the Texas law contradicts Supreme Court precedent and federal immigration policies. The ongoing dispute underscores the ongoing conflict between the Biden administration and Texas over immigration enforcement at the U.S.-Mexico border.
The Biden administration challenged the Texas law’s legality, asserting that the state’s arguments do not align with the Constitution or historical legal precedent. The City of El Paso and two immigrant rights groups also joined in the legal battle against the law. As the Supreme Court reviews the case in the coming weeks, the decision will have far-reaching implications for immigration policy and enforcement in the United States.
