National Politics

Gonzalez States SB 4 Will Lead to 'Racial Profiling'

Texas Representative Vicente Gonzalez (D) issued a statement regarding the heavily criticized Texas immigration bill SB 4.

The status of the bill’s legality has gone back and forth over the last few days. On Monday, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito extended the preexisting ban on SB 4. However, the following day, the ban was lifted and the state was allowed to resume its proceedings. Later that same night, the federal appeals court halted the bill.

“This law does nothing to help our immigration system, our local law enforcement personnel, or Texans’ safety and wellbeing,” said Rep. Gonzalez.

“SB 4 will only lead to the racial profiling of Hispanic Texans and leave law enforcement unequipped and untrained to handle immigration cases. We saw this with Operation Lonestar, with the buoys on the Rio Grande River — let’s call it for what it is, another ham-fisted and dangerous stunt by Governor Greg Abbott that will ultimately cause more harm than good,” said the Texas lawmaker.

Gonzalez celebrated the appeals court’s attempts to fight SB 4. The congressman stated that the House should instead pass the bipartisan Senate immigration bill that they have let flounder.

“I applaud the decision by the Fifth Circuit Appeals Court to stay this destructive law while its legality is determined. The only way to move forward and deliver for South Texas is through bipartisan, federal legislation. House Republicans must pass the Senate’s Bipartisan Border Security Package which would add 1,500 CBP agents and officers, and over 100 immigration judges to reduce the asylum case backlog,” concluded Gonzalez.

The bill has been touted as harsh, inhumane and unconstitutional. SB 4 allows police officers to search those they deem to be illegally in the U.S. and arrest them. 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.

Joshua Smith

Joshua Smith is a writer and recent graduate, majoring in English.

Recent Posts

Texas Lawmakers Hear Local Testimony After Devastating July 4 Floods

In the wake of one of the deadliest natural disasters in Texas history, state lawmakers…

1 day ago

LONESTAR — 8.1.2025 — Texas Senate Passes Bill Banning THC — Texas Mobilizes Emergency Response for Texas Panhandle — and More...

This week, the Texas Senate approved Senate Bill 5 (SB 5), a controversial bill that…

1 day ago

Texas Senate Passes SB 5 Banning THC

This week, the Texas Senate approved Senate Bill 5 (SB 5), a controversial bill that…

2 days ago

Texas Mobilizes Emergency Response Ahead of Panhandle Flood Threat

Governor Greg Abbott (R) has ordered the activation of emergency response resources as heavy rainfall…

2 days ago

LONESTAR — 7.31.2025 — Abbott Announces Disaster Unemployment Assistance — New Texas Map Adds Five GOP Seats — and More...

This week, Governor Greg Abbott (R) announced that the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is now…

2 days ago

Texas Leads U.S. in Veterans Using VA Education Benefits

Texas students are preparing to head back to school, and tens of thousands of veterans…

2 days ago