Attorneys representing the state of Texas and the Biden administration are set to clash once more in federal appeals court, reigniting the debate over Senate Bill 4 (SB4), a contentious immigration enforcement law in Texas.
SB4, passed by Texas’ Republican-controlled legislature in late 2023, permits local and state law enforcement officers to arrest individuals suspected of being in the country illegally, raising questions about its constitutionality and implications on federal immigration policy.
The law’s enforcement has been on hold following a series of legal maneuvers, including a federal judge’s ruling in late February that deemed it likely unconstitutional due to conflicting with federal immigration law and potentially straining U.S.-Mexico relations.
While supporters argue SB4’s necessity amid increased unauthorized crossings, opponents, including the Biden administration and advocacy groups, raise concerns about racial profiling and federal jurisdiction over immigration matters.
As the three-judge panel prepares to revisit the case, the outcome holds significant implications for immigration enforcement nationwide and could potentially escalate to the U.S. Supreme Court.
