Supreme Court Lifts Ban on Controversial Texas Immigration Bill

The Supreme Court has ruled that Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s (R) highly controversial immigration legislation SB 4 is allowed to resume proceedings in the state of Texas.

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito recently extended the ban on SB 4. However, it appears that the court has made a decision with the time granted by the previously extended ban.

“SCOTUS temporarily halted enforcement of SB 4 but Texas is still using its authority to arrest illegal immigrants for criminal trespass and other violations of law. We continue building the wall, use NG to erect razor wire barriers to repel migrants & buoys remain in river,” said Abbott regarding the once banned bill.

Texas Representative Joaquin Castro (D), however, expressed excitement about the bill's temporary ban.

“@GovAbbott's “Show Me Your Papers” law is a racist and unconstitutional overreach that empowers authorities to detain Hispanics and others for looking or sounding like immigrants. I’m glad to see this news. The Supreme Court should strike SB 4 down,” said Rep. Castro.

The bill has been touted as harsh, inhumane and unconstitutional. Furthermore, the Supreme Court has spent time addressing the questions about the bill’s constitutionality.

Critics and legal experts have challenged SB 4 for its potential to cause racial profiling. Some have questioned if the bill oversteps state powers, as some argue deportations are to be administered by the federal government.

Despite legal obligations to accept Mexican citizens, the Mexican foreign relations department has stated they will not do so. It is worth noting that, under Texas law, non-Mexican citizens would also end up being deported to Mexican ports of entry, as well, which is against Mexico's laws.

Several bipartisan lawmakers have called for stronger immigration legislation, with some Democrats even agreeing to criticized policies such as the “Remain in Mexico” bill. That said, the Senate passed a bipartisan bill addressing immigration, yet the House let it flounder. Furthermore, the President has stated that he would shut down the border if the House signed the bill.