Texas needs to be allowed to stop the invasion.
A recent judicial ruling has halted Texas’ efforts to implement a new law targeting illegal immigration within the state.
U.S. District Judge David A. Ezra, presiding over the Western District of Texas, issued a preliminary injunction on Thursday, effectively preventing Senate Bill 4 (SB4) from being enforced starting next week. SB4, signed into law by Governor Gregg Abbott in December, aimed to grant Texas authorities the ability to arrest and detain undocumented immigrants, with state judges being empowered to order deportations.
Judge Ezra’s decision, outlined in his ruling, emphasized that states lack the authority to independently enforce immigration laws without federal authorization. This injunction follows a lawsuit filed by immigration and civil rights groups in response to the enactment of SB4.
Governor Abbott had championed the legislation as a means to curb what he described as a “tidal wave” of unlawful entry into Texas. Under SB4, undocumented individuals in Texas custody would face a choice between voluntary departure under a judge’s order or prosecution for misdemeanor illegal entry, with potential escalation to felony charges for non-compliance.
Critics view SB4 as an extreme measure akin to Arizona’s controversial 2010 immigration law, derisively labeled the “Show Me Your Papers” bill, which faced significant legal challenges culminating in Supreme Court intervention.
The ruling drew support from thirty former U.S. immigration judges, who jointly condemned SB4 as unconstitutional. Judge Ezra, a Reagan appointee with prior experience as Chief Judge for the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, echoed these concerns, highlighting conflicts between the Texas law, the U.S. Constitution, and federal immigration statutes, which he argued could adversely impact U.S. foreign relations and treaty obligations.
Legal action against SB4 was led by organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Department of Justice, contending that the law violated constitutional rights.
Following Judge Ezra’s decision, the ACLU celebrated the victory on social media, hailing it as a triumph for Texas values, human rights, and constitutional principles. However, Texas officials have yet to issue a formal response to the ruling.
As the legal battle continues, the fate of SB4 and Texas’ approach to immigration enforcement remains uncertain.