A federal appeals court in the US has blocked Texas’s controversial immigration law, SB4, just hours after the Supreme Court allowed the state to enforce the measure. SB4, signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott, makes it a crime for foreigners to enter Texas from anywhere other than a legal port of entry. The law also introduces penalties of up to 20 years in prison for illegal re-entry.
The Supreme Court voted six to three to allow SB4’s immediate enforcement, despite concerns about chaos in immigration enforcement. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton hailed the decision as a “huge win”, while the Biden administration called it “unconstitutional and harmful”. The American Civil Liberties Union criticized SB4 as one of the most extreme anti-immigrant laws ever passed.
Following the Supreme Court ruling, the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily blocked SB4, pending further hearings. Mexico condemned the law, stating it would not accept deportations from Texas and expressing concerns about violations of human rights and discrimination. Mexico’s top diplomat for North America rejected the policy and emphasized that immigration matters are a federal issue.
The legal battle over SB4 continues, with oral arguments scheduled for the appeals court. The ruling is hotly contested, with differing opinions on the implications for immigration enforcement and human rights. The outcome of the case will have significant implications for Texas, the US immigration system, and relations with Mexico.
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