Supreme Court allows Texas to enforce immigration law
- The law allows Texas police broad authority to arrest and deport migrants
- The Biden administration is suing on the belief it is unconstitutional
- A stay was lifted while the case continues through the courts
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(NewsNation) — The Supreme Court has lifted a stay on an injunction that would have prevented the state of Texas from enforcing a controversial immigration law.
Justice Amy Coney Barrett, writing for the majority, noted that administrative stays are not a comment on the merits of the case but are meant to minimize harm while the case is being decided in the judicial system.
Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented, with Sotomayor writing that removing the injunction would invite “further chaos and crisis in immigration enforcement.”
Lifting the injunction is a win for Texas, where Gov. Greg Abbott has been embarking on Operation Lonestar, a series of measures meant to reduce border crossings, many of which have faced legal challenges.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton tweeted his reaction, saying “Texas has defeated the Biden Administration’s and ACLU’s emergency motions at the Supreme Court. Our immigration law, SB 4, is now in effect. As always, it’s my honor to defend Texas and its sovereignty, and to lead us to victory in court.”
The law, known as SB 4, allows Texas police to have broad authority when it comes to arresting those suspected of crossing into the U.S. illegally.
The Biden administration is suing to stop the rule, arguing it is unconstitutional because the power of immigration is granted to the federal government not the states.
The decision removes the injunction and allows Texas to enact the law while the case continues to work its way through the appeals courts.
Read the full decision below:
