After temporarily freezing Senate Bill 4, on Tuesday, March 19 the Supreme Court cleared the bill which gives state officials the ability to arrest and detain people they suspect are entering the country illegally. The conservative majority in the Supreme Court passed this bill with the three liberals on the court dissenting it.
However, despite the Bill being cleared, the Biden Administration made a public statement disagreeing with the Supreme Court’s ruling and is hoping that the case gets overturned.
Case Could Return to Supreme Court
While Senate Bill 4 has been cleared by the Supreme Court, it has the potential to return to the Supreme Court if the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals does not release a decision.
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals will weigh in on whether to put the law back on hold after hearing arguments on Wednesday, as many are fighting to permanently overturn Senate Bill 4.
Senate Bill 4 Concerns
With nearly 40% of the Texas population, being of Latino descent, lawmakers and immigration advocates are concerned about the potential increase in racial profiling, detentions, and attempted deportations Senate Bill 4 can bring.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre asserted that the bill would make Texas less safe and cause more burden to law enforcement.
Law Enforcement Concerns
Law enforcement in Texas is wary of the Supreme Court’s decision because it may worsen an already challenging system in addition to over-extending their work. Tom Schmerber, who works as the Maverick Country Sheriff noted that his team does not have time to look for illegal migrants in Texas. His team’s main priority is focusing on security. Other law enforcement officers share similar concerns and some will not be adopting Senate Bill 4 into their work until they receive further clarification on it.
Low Migrant Crossings
Despite the punitive legal attempts to deter illegal border crossing at the U.S.-Mexico border, illegal border crossings have actually decreased since December.
Homeland Security officials have alleged that illegal immigration has been down 50% due to high-level discussions between U.S. and Mexico officials to increase border enforcement.
Reeves Immigration Law Group Supports Communities at Risk
If you or your family are concerned about deportations or visa refusals, it is recommended that you speak with an experienced immigration attorney as soon as possible.
With over four decades of experience, Reeves Immigration Law Group is prepared to assist you on immigration matters from visa applications to deportation defense. Our team of immigration attorneys will work relentlessly to navigate the shifting legal terrain and help secure your safety in the U.S. Fill out our contact form today to speak with a California immigration attorney.
