The Supreme Court has temporarily suspended Texas’ controversial new immigration law, which would have allowed state police to detain individuals suspected of illegal entry into the country. The law, known as Senate Bill 4, was signed into effect by Governor Gregg Abbott in December.
The nation’s highest court stayed a decision from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that would have allowed police to enforce the law as soon as this Saturday. The New Orleans-based appeals court reversed a lower court’s ruling that had previously halted the new state law.
This pause, effective until March 13, gives justices time to review the case.
Despite this, Abbott has pledged to continue his efforts to protect Texas.
Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, told Fox News the law aims to “stop the chaos, secure the border, and protect Texans.”
The Supreme Court’s decision came after the Biden administration raised alarms about the potential for the law to cause racial profiling and enhance state-controlled immigration enforcement.
SB 4 aims to classify illegal border crossing in Texas as a Class B misdemeanor, with a penalty of up to six months in jail. Repeat violations could escalate to a second-degree felony, resulting in up to 20 years in prison.
Texas has until March 11 to respond to the Department of Justice’s appeal for emergency action.
