Posted By: NORML as can be
Supreme Court clears way for Texas - 03/19/24 07:33 PM
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/s...22a994f19a4bc19733b34db02d1f43&ei=13
The Supreme Court on Tuesday cleared the way for Texas to begin enforcing, for now, one of the nation’s harshest immigration laws, which opponents say would disrupt more than a century of federal control over international borders.
The law, known as S.B. 4, makes it a state crime for migrants to illegally cross the border and allows Texas officials to deport undocumented individuals. It was passed last year amid a historic surge in border crossings — part of Gov. Greg Abbott’s (R) push to expand the state’s role in immigration enforcement, which historically has been a federal responsibility.
The Supreme Court’s decision was divided and preliminary, with two justices in the majority urging a lower court to quickly decide whether to allow the law to remain in effect while appeals continue. That approach drew dissent from the three liberal justices, two of whom said the majority was inviting “further chaos and crisis in immigration enforcement.”
“The Court gives a green light to a law that will upend the long-standing federal-state balance of power and sow chaos,” wrote Justice Sonia Sotomayor, joined by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. They noted that a lower court judge had concluded that the law "is likely unconstitutional.”
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton called the high court’s order Tuesday a “huge win” and defeat for the Biden administration and said the measure is “now in effect.”
The statute imposes state criminal penalties of up to six months in jail on noncitizens who illegally enter Texas from Mexico. Anyone accused of reentering the country illegally could face felony charges. Lawmakers also empowered state judges to order deportations to Mexico — without Mexico’s consent — and allowed local law enforcement personnel to carry out those orders. Judges may also drop state charges if a migrant agrees to return to Mexico voluntarily.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday cleared the way for Texas to begin enforcing, for now, one of the nation’s harshest immigration laws, which opponents say would disrupt more than a century of federal control over international borders.
The law, known as S.B. 4, makes it a state crime for migrants to illegally cross the border and allows Texas officials to deport undocumented individuals. It was passed last year amid a historic surge in border crossings — part of Gov. Greg Abbott’s (R) push to expand the state’s role in immigration enforcement, which historically has been a federal responsibility.
The Supreme Court’s decision was divided and preliminary, with two justices in the majority urging a lower court to quickly decide whether to allow the law to remain in effect while appeals continue. That approach drew dissent from the three liberal justices, two of whom said the majority was inviting “further chaos and crisis in immigration enforcement.”
“The Court gives a green light to a law that will upend the long-standing federal-state balance of power and sow chaos,” wrote Justice Sonia Sotomayor, joined by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. They noted that a lower court judge had concluded that the law "is likely unconstitutional.”
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton called the high court’s order Tuesday a “huge win” and defeat for the Biden administration and said the measure is “now in effect.”
The statute imposes state criminal penalties of up to six months in jail on noncitizens who illegally enter Texas from Mexico. Anyone accused of reentering the country illegally could face felony charges. Lawmakers also empowered state judges to order deportations to Mexico — without Mexico’s consent — and allowed local law enforcement personnel to carry out those orders. Judges may also drop state charges if a migrant agrees to return to Mexico voluntarily.
