NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – A federal appeals court has extended its halt on a controversial Texas immigration law, preventing it from taking effect amidst ongoing legal battles. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, based in New Orleans, voted 2-1 to keep Senate Bill 4 blocked, with the statute facing scrutiny for its provisions allowing for the arrest and deportation of migrants suspected of illegally crossing the border from Mexico.
In a decision released overnight, Judge Priscilla Richman emphasized the long-standing principle that immigration control falls under federal jurisdiction, citing a previous Supreme Court ruling that struck down a similar law in Arizona. The ongoing legal dispute highlights the power struggle between the Biden administration and Texas over immigration enforcement at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Although the state of Texas may seek Supreme Court intervention to lift the block on the law, the appeals court is set to revisit the case on April 3. Judge Richman and Judge Irma Carrillo Ramirez, both appointees of President Biden, voted to maintain the hold on the law, while Judge Andrew Oldham, a Republican appointee, dissented in favor of allowing the law to be implemented.
Judge Oldham argued that concerns about law enforcement should not prevent the law from being enacted, suggesting that federal inaction on immigration leaves states like Texas in a precarious position. The legal back-and-forth began when a federal judge initially blocked the law following a lawsuit by the Biden administration, leading to conflicting directives from the courts until the appeals court intervened.
The Supreme Court’s involvement further complicated the situation, initially allowing the law to proceed before reconsidering in light of urgent appeals. The conflicting rulings have sparked confusion and concern among immigrant rights advocates, prompting the appeals court to step in and maintain the hold on the law to allow for further legal deliberation. As the legal battle continues, the fate of Senate Bill 4 remains uncertain, with implications for immigration policy and enforcement in Texas and beyond.