The United States Supreme Court has lifted the pause on a controversial Texas law, SB4, which allows state authorities to detain and deport migrants and asylum seekers. The law has been criticized for increasing racial profiling and endangering the rights of asylum seekers. The Biden administration has challenged the law as unconstitutional, and advocacy groups are vowing to continue the legal fight against it.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton, both Republicans, have praised the Supreme Court’s decision, arguing that SB4 is necessary to control irregular border crossings. Under Abbott’s “Operation Lone Star” border security program, Texas has implemented measures including razor wire, a floating fence in the Rio Grande, and increased National Guard presence.
The law makes it a state crime to cross the Texas-Mexico border outside of regular ports of entry, with penalties of up to six months in jail for a first offense and up to 20 years for repeat offenders. Judges are allowed to drop charges if individuals agree to be deported to Mexico, regardless of their country of origin or asylum claims in the US. Mexico has criticized the law as inhumane, while White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre called it a politicization of the border.
Human Rights Watch has condemned SB4 for violating US asylum obligations and federal law, warning that allowing Texas to enforce the law could lead to chaos and abuse. The legal battle over SB4 is expected to continue, with potential implications for the 2024 presidential elections and the ongoing debate over immigration policy in the US.
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