Dallas, Texas – The Biden administration is engaged in a legal battle with Texas over a new state law that empowers local law enforcement and judges to detain and remove undocumented immigrants. The law, known as SB 4, is set to take effect in a few months. According to the Justice Department, it violates the Constitution by granting powers that are reserved for the federal government to local officials. Texas was given until Wednesday to respond to the Justice Department’s concerns.
Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta stated that SB 4 is “clearly unconstitutional,” citing Supreme Court rulings that emphasize the federal government’s authority over immigration enforcement. The Texas governor, Greg Abbott, who signed the law, argues that it will help curb illegal immigration, provide funding for border wall construction, and crack down on human smuggling.
Immigration policy has long been a contentious issue between Republicans and Democrats, with Congress repeatedly failing to enact comprehensive reforms. Former President Donald Trump made immigration enforcement a priority during his tenure, and he has promised to do so again if elected in 2024.
The debate over immigration is not limited to border states like Texas. Northern states, such as Chicago and New York, have also been dealing with an influx of migrants in need of assistance. Additionally, House Speaker Mike Johnson led a delegation of House Republicans to the U.S.-Mexico border to inspect the situation and criticize the Biden administration. Abbott and other Republicans have blamed the administration for the recent surge in migrant arrivals and argue that the new state law is necessary due to the federal government’s perceived inaction.
Civil rights groups have already filed lawsuits against SB 4, and Texas is also in a legal battle with the Justice Department over the installation of razor-wire border fencing. In the past two fiscal years, there have been over 2 million illegal crossings at the southwest border with Mexico, indicating the ongoing challenges posed by immigration.
The clash between the Biden administration and Texas highlights the ongoing divisions and complexities surrounding immigration. The outcome of this legal showdown could have significant implications for immigration policy and enforcement across the United States.