Poli Alert Political & Civics
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Jimmy Williams
Republican Governor Greg Abbott of Texas signed into law a controversial piece of legislation that grants extensive powers to law enforcement officials to arrest migrants who cross the border illegally.
The law also authorizes local judges to issue orders for migrants to leave the country. Critics argue that this move represents the most dramatic attempt by a state to regulate immigration since Arizona’s 2010 law, widely criticized as the “Show Me Your Papers” bill, which was largely invalidated by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Abbott’s signing of the law comes as part of an effort by Texas to assert more control over immigration, a federal responsibility. The state has accused the Biden administration of not doing enough to curb illegal entries into the country, leading to Texas taking unilateral measures, such as busing over 65,000 migrants to cities across the U.S. and installing razor wire along the Rio Grande.
Under the new law, any Texas law enforcement officer can arrest individuals suspected of entering the country illegally. Once apprehended, migrants can either agree to a Texas judge’s order to leave the U.S. or face prosecution for misdemeanor charges of illegal entry. Failure to comply could result in further arrests under more severe felony charges.
Legal experts have raised concerns about the law’s potential violation of the federal government’s authority over immigration enforcement. Mexico has also criticized the measure, while some immigrant rights groups have blamed President Biden for not intervening earlier to halt Texas’ aggressive border measures.
Thirty former U.S. immigration judges, representing both Republican and Democratic administrations, signed a letter condemning the law as unconstitutional. Critics argue that Texas Republicans may be using the legislation to prompt the Supreme Court’s conservative majority to revisit the 2012 Arizona decision. Justice Anthony Kennedy, at the time, emphasized the importance of not pursuing policies that undermine federal law.
Opponents accuse Texas Republicans of exploiting the law as a means to push the Supreme Court to reconsider the 2012 Arizona decision. Abbott recently endorsed former President Donald Trump, the leading contender for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024. Over the weekend, Trump made concerning anti-immigrant remarks, echoing Nazi slogans from World War II about “blood” purity.
