First appearance on Fox: A group of more than 40 lawmakers has filed an amicus brief in support of Texas in its legal battle with the Biden administration after the Justice Department sued the state earlier this year over a law that gave Texas police the power to arrest illegal immigrants. signed the preparation document.
“I am proud to lead my 45 colleagues in an amicus brief supporting Article 1, Section 10 of the Texas Constitution to stop the chaos, secure our borders, and protect Texans. Not only are we on our side, but the American people are on our side as well,” Rep. Jodi Arrington (R-Texas), a leader of the effort, told Fox News Digital.
Arrington’s comments come as Texas goes to court to defend a state law signed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in December that gives Texas law enforcement officers the power to arrest and prosecute illegal immigrants. The Department of Justice argues that this falls under federal authority.
“The United States brought this action to maintain its exclusive authority under federal law to regulate the entry and removal of noncitizens,” the lawsuit filed in Austin federal court states. “Texas cannot run its own immigration system. Its efforts through SB 4 intrude on the federal government’s exclusive authority to regulate the entry and removal of noncitizens and interfere with U.S. immigration operations and processes. and interfere in the foreign relations of the United States.”
Justice Department sues Texas over law that forces police to arrest illegal immigrants
Left: President Biden. Right: Texas Governor Greg Abbott. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images | USA TODAY NETWORK via Reuters Connect)
But Arrington argues that the law is not only constitutional but necessitated by the Biden administration’s inability to contain the crisis plaguing the U.S.-Mexico border.
“Any honest, objective person living in this country would know that President Biden has deliberately ignored the laws of the land, abdicated his constitutional duty to provide for the common defense, and made the control of our nation’s borders a terrorist organization. “It’s clear that there was a unilateral surrender to the drug cartel,” Arrington said. “President Biden has not only failed to enforce his laws and secure our borders, but has actively thwarted Texas’ efforts to do the federal job, including in the Justice Department’s lawsuit over SB4. .”
The brief, filed Tuesday night in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin, and seen by FOX News Digital, states that the federal government “abandoned its duty to protect the nation from and to take care of invasion.” He blames it. This country’s immigration laws are faithfully enforced. ”
The brief also states that the Biden administration is “deliberately” facilitating “large-scale illegal entry” of immigrants into the United States, so that Texas can “secure its borders and prevent criminal drug cartels from infiltrating and surging from surrounding areas.” We need to repel illegal immigrants.” world. “
Rep. August Pflueger (R-Texas), one of the lawmakers who signed the brief, told Fox News Digital that the Biden administration is “unwilling to protect Texans from the life-or-death consequences of mass illegal activity.” I’ve proven that.” Immigration. ”
Inflatable barriers installed along the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass to prevent illegal immigrants from entering the United States (Texas DPS)
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“Instead of suing Texas for failing to do its job as a federal government, the president should focus on keeping Americans safe,” Pflueger said.
Texas law gives arrested immigrants the opportunity to comply with a judge’s order, leave the United States, or face a misdemeanor charge of illegal entry. Immigrants who choose not to leave the country could face felony charges if rearrested.
The law can be enforced anywhere in Texas, but some places, such as schools and churches, are off-limits.
The legal battle comes at the same time that Texas is embroiled in another legal battle over the installation of razor wire near the border, which also drew the ire of Mexican authorities.
But these measures are part of the state’s right to “protect itself,” Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) told Fox News Digital.
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“Texas has a constitutional right to self-defense. There is a blatant invasion taking place at our southern border, and Secretary Mayorkas and the Biden administration are refusing to act,” Burgess said. “I continue to support Texas’ actions of self-defense, which are necessary because of the Biden administration’s gross negligence. Much-needed court preparations to assist our state. I am grateful to Congressman Arlington for leading the letter.”
Texas Army National Guard soldiers walk near the border. (Texas Department of Military Affairs)
Reps. Arrington, Pfluger and Burgess include Reps. Jeff Duncan, R.C., Mike Collins, R-Georgia, Doug LaMalfa, R-California, and Mike Rogers, R-Alabama. Several Republican colleagues, including state Republican lawmakers, joined in supporting the brief. , Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., Keith Self, R-Texas, Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia, Andy Ogles, R-Tennessee, Carol Miller, R-West Virginia, Jim Banks, R-Ind., Erin Houchin (R-Ind.), Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., Troy Neals, R-Texas, Cliff Bentz, R-Ore., Clay Higgins, R-Ore. Louisiana, Ronnie Jackson, Republican, Texas, Brian Babin, Republican, Texas, Mary Miller, Republican, Illinois, Brandon Williams, RN.Y., Pete Sessions, Republican, Texas, Chip Roy, Republican. Texas, Michael Cloud, R-Louisiana, Judge Carter, R-Texas, Lance Gooden (R-Texas), Elise Stefanik (RN.Y.), Randy Weber (R-Texas), Morgan Luttrell (R-Texas) (R-Texas), Kat Cammack (R-Colorado), Tony Gonzalez (R-Texas), Jake Elsey (R-Texas), Ralph Norma, RS.C., and Beth Van Duyne, RN.Y. ., Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, David Rauser, R.N.C., Pat Fallon, R-Mass., Monica de la Cruz, R-Texas, Roger Williams, R-Texas, Michael Williams, R-Texas. McCall, Texas Republican Nathaniel Moran, Texas Republican Kay Granger, Georgia Republican Andrew Clyde.
Clyde said the Texas law is an example of a state exercising its right to protect itself.
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“Under President Biden’s open borders policy, every state is a border state,” Clyde told Fox News Digital. I have it,” he said. “I am proud to join Speaker Arrington’s critical brief in support of Texas’ right to exercise its Article I Section 10 powers, and I am proud to join Chairman Arrington in his critical brief in support of Texas’ right to exercise its Article I Section 10 powers. I commend Governor Abbott for drawing the line.”
The White House and Justice Department did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment.
