Texas immigration enforcement suspended

2024-03-20 09:41:56, Kosova & Bota CNA

Texas plans to detain immigrants suspected of entering the United States illegally were put on hold again Wednesday, as uncertainty along the border and anger in Mexico erupted hours after the law took effect.

The order issued late Tuesday by a panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit again suspended the law. Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court allowed enforcement of the tough immigration law, encouraging other states to take similar measures.

But later the Appeals panel adjourned again before presenting arguments during a hearing set for Wednesday. It is still unclear when the new decision on the implementation of this law can be taken.

During the brief period the law was in effect on Tuesday, authorities in Texas did not announce that they had made any arrests or indicate whether the law was being actively enforced. However, this was seen as a victory for the Republicans who have pushed this law forward.

The Supreme Court ruling overturned several lower appeals court rulings that had been challenged by the Justice Department, which has argued that Texas is overstepping the federal government's immigration powers.

In the last decision of the Court of Appeal, the panel's reason for suspending the law was not stated.

Under Texas law, when defendants are taken into custody for illegal entry, they can agree to leave the state or face prosecution in the US. On Tuesday, Mexico's Foreign Affairs Secretariat said it would refuse to admit anyone ordered to cross the border.

"Mexico has a legitimate right to protect the rights of its citizens in the US and to establish its own policies regarding entry into its territory," the Mexican government said.

The law's impact goes beyond the border into Mexico. Republican lawmakers drafted the law so it would apply to Texas' 254 counties, although Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw said he expects the law to apply mostly near the border.

Other Republican-led states are also aiming to follow Texas' example. In Iowa, the House passed a bill that would allow law enforcement in that state to arrest people who are in the US illegally and have previously been denied entry.

If the bill is signed by Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds, it would go into effect in July.

Arrests for illegal border crossings fell by half in January from the record number set in December of last year, namely 250,000, while Texas saw a sharp drop in arrests./ REL