An appeals court in Texas is divided over the controversial SB4 immigration law that would give police broad powers to arrest migrants suspected of entering the country illegally. The law briefly came into force on Tuesday before being blocked again amid legal challenges.
The fifth circuit appeals panel heard arguments on Wednesday on the constitutionality of SB4 and whether it interferes with federal powers. The judges appeared split on the issue, with no immediate ruling issued. The Biden administration is seeking to delay the law’s effective date in order to seek emergency action from the Supreme Court.
If SB4 is upheld, it could set a precedent for other states to follow suit. Migrant arrivals at the US-Mexico border have reached record highs during the Biden administration, making immigration a top concern for American voters.
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has criticized the law as draconian and dehumanizing, stating that Mexico would refuse to accept anyone deported by Texas authorities. The law would mark a significant shift in immigration enforcement, as historically only the federal government has had authority to enforce immigration laws.
It remains to be seen how the appeals court will rule on SB4, but the case has drawn widespread attention and could have far-reaching implications for immigration policy in the US.
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