A federal judge has blocked a new law in Texas that would make illegal immigration a state crime.
U.S. District Judge David A. Ezra of the Western District of Texas on Thursday granted a preliminary injunction blocking Texas Senate Bill 4 from taking effect next week. The law would allow state authorities to arrest and imprison illegal immigrants, and would give state judges the power to order deportation.
The justices wrote in their ruling that states “may not exercise immigration enforcement powers without the authorization of the federal government.”
Texas can appeal this decision.
Texas Gov. Abbott signs bill making illegal immigration a national crime
Mr. David A. Ezra, Senior United States District Judge for the Western District of Texas. On Thursday, Ezra issued an injunction against Texas’ SB4, making illegal immigration a state crime. Mr. Ezra was appointed by President Reagan and previously served on the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii. (United States District Court for the District of Hawaii)
The injunction was issued in response to a lawsuit filed by immigration and civil rights groups against the state of Texas after Gov. Greg Abbott signed the law in December.
At the signing ceremony, Abbott said the bill’s purpose is to “stop the wave of illegal immigration into Texas.”
Under the law, immigrants detained in Texas must agree to a judge’s order to leave the United States or face a misdemeanor charge of illegal entry. Immigrants who do not comply could be arrested again on more serious charges.
The law is a dramatic step toward Texas cracking down on immigration, and Mr. Abbott, a Republican, has repeatedly accused the Biden administration of failing to address the border crisis. Texas bussed more than 65,000 migrants across the country and installed razor wire along the banks of the Rio Grande.
Opponents call the bill the most sweeping state crackdown on immigration since the 2010 Arizona law, which critics called the “show me your documents” bill, was largely struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court. It is characterized as a unique attempt.
Thirty former U.S. immigration judges who served under both Republican and Democratic administrations signed a letter this month condemning the measure as unconstitutional.
Ezra, who was appointed by President Reagan and previously served as chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii, said the Texas law violates the U.S. Constitution and federal immigration law and is “damaging to the foreign relations and treaties of the United States.” Ta. Obligation. ”
The American Civil Liberties Union, the Department of Justice, and other groups sued Texas, calling the law unconstitutional.
After Ezra’s sentencing, the ACLU said in a statement in X: “Victory: Federal court blocks Texas anti-immigrant law #SB4 from taking effect on March 5.”
“This is a victory for Texas values, human rights and the Constitution.”
Texas officials did not immediately issue a statement about the judge’s decision.
Bill Melugin of Fox News and Bradford Betz of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
