Faced with what the White House described as an “incredibly extreme” law, the U.S. Department of Justice has issued a warning to Governor Greg Abbott: stop the law immediately or be sued for signing what they deem an unconstitutional law.
Legal Tensions Rise in Texas
A looming legal battle is brewing as the U.S. Department of Justice threatens to sue a new Texas law that permits the arrest of suspected illegal border crossers. Still, this action hinges on whether Gov. Greg Abbott decides against allowing police enforcement of the law.
Constitutional Boundaries Questioned
Texas Governor Greg Abbott received a letter from the Justice Department asserting that the new Texas legislation, SB4, unlawfully steps into federal immigration territory and violates constitutional boundaries.
Cease Law or Face Court
“SB4 effectively creates a separate state immigration scheme by imposing criminal penalties for violations of federal provisions on unlawful entry… and by authorizing state judges to order the removal of noncitizens from the United States. SB4, therefore intrudes into a field that is occupied by the federal government and is preempted,” Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton explained in his letter to Governor Abbott.
Countdown for Texas
Time is running out for Texas; if the state fails to officially stop enforcing the law by January 3rd, the agency plans to “pursue all appropriate legal remedies to ensure that Texas does not interfere with the functions of the federal government.”
What to Expect
Under the new law, crossing the Texas-Mexico border outside designated ports of entry is classified as a Class B misdemeanor. Migrants agreeing to return to Mexico can have charges dismissed by a judge. Failing that, the accused could face a jail term of up to 6 months, increasing for repeat violations.
“In practice, this would place people with authorization to be in the United States, even United States citizens, at risk of being forced to leave Texas,” Democratic lawmakers explained.
“Incredibly Extreme” Law Set for March
Republican Governor Abbott signed a measure into law that, unless stopped, is set to take effect in March. This law empowers local law enforcement to arrest migrants and enables judges to issue removal orders from the United States, a move the White House sharply criticized as “incredibly extreme.”
Biden Is “Destroying America”
Striking back, Governor Abbott slammed the Justice Department’s letter later, accusing President Joe Biden of “destroying America” and claiming that “Texas is trying to save it.”
He wrote in a Thursday post on X, “The Biden Admin. not only refuses to enforce current U.S. immigration laws, they now want to stop Texas from enforcing laws against illegal immigration. I’ve never seen such hostility to the rule of law in America.”
Fear Among Texas’ Latino Community
The ongoing wave of migrants at the US-Mexico border, straining both local and federal resources, might explain why Governor Abbott is so adamantly defending the new law, SB4. On the other hand, the law has sparked widespread fear among the Latino community in Texas, which constitutes 40% of the state’s population.
Over 30,000 Migrants Sent to NYC
Texas isn’t the only state grappling with resource strains due to the rising number of migrants. As reported by the Houston Chronicle, New York City has just imposed new restrictions on buses transporting migrants sent by Governor Abbott, who has already dispatched over 30,000 migrants to the city.
Busing Migrants Across America
Earlier this month, Abbott highlighted his migrant transportation initiative, revealing that since August 2022, Texas has bused over 29,300 migrants to New York City and tens of thousands more to cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Denver, and Washington, D.C.
Playing Politics with Lives?
Governor Abbott faces criticism from Democratic mayors dealing with the unexpected arrival of thousands of migrants. They argue that the Texas governor is not collaborating with them to accommodate these newcomers, many of whom are ill-equipped for the cold and are left without adequate shelter.
In a May post on X, New York City’s Mayor Eric Adams explicitly criticized Governor Abbott, saying he is “once again deciding to play politics with people’s lives.”
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