Passed by the Texas legislature last year, SB4 would create state crimes for entering or reentering the state from Mexico outside an official port of entry.
A panel of federal appeals court judges late Tuesday continued to block Texas from arresting and jailing migrants under a contentious , keeping a hold on the measure while it weighs its legality.
In a 2-1 decision, the panel of 5th Circuit Court of Appeals judges denied Texas’ request to suspend the lower court order that found SB4 unconstitutional and in conflict with federal immigration laws.
Pending further court action, Texas will continue to be from enforcing SB4, which would at the state level. The 5th Circuit has a hearing next week, on April 3, to consider the question of whether SB4 is lawful and constitutional.
Texas is defending SB4 from legal challenges filed by the Justice Department and two groups that advocate on behalf of migrants.
Passed by the Texas legislature last year, SB4 would create state crimes for entering or reentering the state from Mexico outside an official port of entry.
