The US Supreme Court has allowed Texas to execute a contentious statute on detaining and deporting illegal immigrants

Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 4, which empowers police to detain persons suspected of unlawfully entering the United States. Critics argue that the measure breaches federal power because immigration is typically handled by the federal government.

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The US Supreme Court, with a 6-3 conservative majority, allowed Texas's Republican-backed law granting broad arrest powers for suspected illegal border crossings to stand, rejecting the Biden administration's challenge. Dissenting liberal justices argued it undermines federal immigration enforcement. Texas law criminalizes illegal entry with penalties of up to 20 years, mandating return to Mexico with refusal punishable by 20 years. Governor Greg Abbott signed the law, SB4, in December, empowering state law enforcement to make such arrests, citing Biden's lax federal enforcement. This move follows a surge in border crossings, fueling criticism of the administration's handling of immigration.

One of the most intense legal disputes

Texas Governor Abbott praised the Supreme Court's decision on the immigration law as "a positive development," aligning with Republicans like Trump. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre criticized the law, foreseeing chaos, and urging congressional action. Dissenting Justice Sonia Sotomayor warned of federal-state power imbalance and chaos. FWD.us expressed concerns about states mimicking Texas, unjustly impacting families. Legal clashes persist between Texas and the Biden administration over border control. Texas' measures include National Guard deployment and physical barriers. Justice Amy Coney Barrett, in her concurrence, noted the temporary nature of the decision's administrative stay.

What happens now?

Following a legal back-and-forth, the fate of a Texas law allowing the arrest of migrants remains uncertain. The Biden administration opposes the law, claiming it violates federal authority and could disrupt international relations. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito temporarily halted the law, originally scheduled for March 5, while the legal battle ensues. District Judge David Ezra initially blocked the law, asserting it undermines unified immigration regulation. However, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals intervened, pausing Ezra's ruling and potentially allowing the law to take effect on March 10. The situation leaves the implementation timeline and the fate of affected migrants uncertain.

Also Read: Today, The Supreme Court Will Consider Multiple Petitions Requesting A Pause On The Implementation Of CAA Rules

Mexico's reaction to Supreme Court verdict

On Tuesday, Mexico's government stated that it would "under no circumstances" accept the repatriation of any migrants from the state of Texas. Mexico is not compelled to accept deportations of anybody other than its nationals. It denounced the Texas law's implementation, claiming that it would criminalize migrants and lead to family separation, discrimination, and racial profiling.

"Mexico rejects any measure that allows state or local authorities to handle immigration control, detain or return nationals or foreigners to Mexican territory," the Foreign Affairs Ministry stated. The administration stated that it will present its stance to the next appeals court that considers the statute.

This happened after Republicans scrapped a bipartisan US Senate plan in February that would have strengthened border security and tightened immigration regulations after Trump pressured members of his party to vote against it.