The Supreme Court has made a controversial decision to allow Texas to enforce a new law that gives local police the power to arrest migrants who illegally cross the border from Mexico. The conservative-majority court rejected an emergency request by the Biden administration, allowing the law to go into effect while litigation continues in lower courts.
The law, which imposes criminal penalties on migrants who cross the border illegally, has raised concerns about upending the federal-state balance of power and potentially sowing chaos. Liberal Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented the decision, while Conservative Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh noted that the appeals court has yet to weigh in on the issue.
The law appears to conflict with federal law, which is traditionally the special province of the federal government. The law had previously been blocked by a federal judge, but the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals allowed it to go into effect on March 10. The federal government argues that the law is inconsistent with Supreme Court precedent.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton believes the law complements federal law and that the state has the right to defend itself. However, the city of El Paso and two immigrant rights groups have challenged the law and have filed an emergency request at the Supreme Court.
The decision by the Supreme Court to allow Texas to enforce this controversial immigration law has sparked debate over the balance of power between states and the federal government. As the legal battle continues, the implications of this law on immigration policy and the rights of migrants remain uncertain.
“Infuriatingly humble tv expert. Friendly student. Travel fanatic. Bacon fan. Unable to type with boxing gloves on.”