Title: Biden administration threatens to sue Texas if it implements SB4, a strict immigration law
The Biden administration has issued a warning to Texas, stating that it will sue the state if it moves forward with implementing SB4, a strict immigration law. The law, known as SB4, would grant state and local law enforcement officials the authority to arrest, jail, and prosecute migrants suspected of entering the U.S. unlawfully.
The Justice Department sent a letter to Texas Governor Greg Abbott on December 28, stating that it would file a lawsuit against SB4 if the state did not assure federal officials by January 3 that it would refrain from enforcing the law as planned in March. The letter, obtained by CBS News, expressed concerns that SB4 would effectively criminalize actions that are already illegal at the federal level and would undermine relations with Mexico.
In response to the Biden administration’s demands, Texas Governor Abbott signed SB4 earlier this month, after it was passed by the Texas legislature. Abbott accused the Biden administration of showing hostility to the rule of law in America and refusing to enforce current U.S. immigration laws. Texas has vowed to defend SB4 in the face of legal challenges.
SB4 would create illegal entry crimes at the state level and allow Texas judges to issue de facto deportation orders. If implemented, it would be the strictest state immigration law in modern U.S. history, making unauthorized immigration a state crime, ranging from a misdemeanor to a felony.
The Mexican government has already stated that it would not accept returns of migrants from Texas state officials, denouncing SB4 as an “anti-immigrant” law. Supporters of the law argue that it will deter illegal border crossings, while critics have expressed concerns about racial profiling and potential public safety implications.
The Biden administration’s stance on SB4 is the latest clash between the federal government and Texas over immigration policy. With the threat of a legal battle on the horizon, the fate of SB4 remains uncertain, as the Biden administration continues to grapple with immigration and border security issues.
Camilo Montoya-Galvez is the immigration reporter at CBS News. Based in Washington, he covers immigration policy and politics.