Texas Governor Signs Bill That Lets Police Arrest Migrants Who Enter The US Illegally
1 year ago

Texas Governor Signs Bill That Lets Police Arrest Migrants Who Enter The US Illegally

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Testing the limits of how far Texas can go to keep migrants out of the U.S., Republican Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday signed into law sweeping new powers that allow police to arrest migrants who cross the border illegally and give local judges authority to order them to leave the country. “This is sanctioned racial profiling and all Texans must stand up and demand this measure, that will no doubt cause massive family separations, be struck down,” said Priscilla Olivarez, an attorney and strategist for the San Antonio-based Immigrant Legal Resource Center During debate in the Texas House, GOP state Rep. David Spiller pushed back against concerns that the law would be used as a dragnet to arrest immigrants statewide. “The Mexican government categorically rejects any measure that would allow local or state authorities to detain or deport Mexicans or other nationalities to Mexican soil,” Mexico’s foreign relations department wrote in a statement. At the time, Justice Anthony Kennedy said Arizona may have “understandable frustrations” with immigrants who are in the country illegally but can’t pursue policies that “undermine federal law.” Earlier this month, Abbott endorsed former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential front-runner in 2024.

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History of this topic

Texas’ Controversial Immigration Law Would Be a Train Wreck—and Not Just for Immigrants
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Texas’ Controversial Immigration Law Would Be a Train Wreck—and Not Just for Immigrants

Slate  

After a couple of years of pushing the envelope on state-level immigration enforcement, with the disastrous Operation Lone Star and its offshoots, Texas last year decided to go all in on Senate Bill 4, the law that would make it a state crime to enter the country illegally or to reenter the country after a removal. The illegal-reentry part of …

How Republican-led states far from the US-Mexico border are rushing to pass tough immigration laws
8 months ago

How Republican-led states far from the US-Mexico border are rushing to pass tough immigration laws

Associated Press  

OKLAHOMA CITY — Republican-led states are rushing to give broader powers to local police and impose criminal penalties for those living in the U.S. illegally as the issue of immigration enforcement remains central to the 2024 elections. Kevin Stitt signed a bill on Tuesday that creates the new crime of “impermissible occupation,” which imposes penalties of as much as two …

Louisiana proposes bill similar to Texas’ migrant arrest law
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Louisiana proposes bill similar to Texas’ migrant arrest law

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Louisiana's Republican-controlled Senate advanced a …

Texas asks court to decide if the state’s migrant arrest law went too far
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Texas asks court to decide if the state’s migrant arrest law went too far

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — An attorney defending Texas’ plans to arrest migrants who enter the U.S. illegally told a panel of federal judges Wednesday that it’s possible the law “went too far” but that will be up to the court to decide. Daniel Tenny, an attorney representing the U.S. government, said the state was attempting to “rewrite Texas SB4 from the …

Texas’ migrant arrest law will remain on hold under new court ruling
8 months, 4 weeks ago

Texas’ migrant arrest law will remain on hold under new court ruling

Associated Press  

NEW ORLEANS — Texas’ plans to arrest migrants suspected of illegally entering the U.S. will remain on hold under a federal appeals court order that likely prevents enforcement of Republican Gov. In Tuesday’s order, Chief Judge Priscilla Richman cited a 2012 Supreme Court decision that struck down portions of a strict Arizona immigration law, including arrest power. The Texas law, …

Texas’ migrant arrest law is on hold for now under latest court ruling
8 months, 4 weeks ago

Texas’ migrant arrest law is on hold for now under latest court ruling

LA Times  

Migrants wait to be processed by the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol after they crossed the Rio Grande and entered the U.S. from Mexico, Oct. 19, 2023, in Eagle Pass, Texas. A Texas law that allows the state to arrest and deport migrants suspected of illegally entering the U.S. will remain on hold for now, a federal appeals court ruled. …

Opinion: Texas border law Senate Bill 4 is understandable, terrible and doomed
9 months ago

Opinion: Texas border law Senate Bill 4 is understandable, terrible and doomed

LA Times  

The governor has deployed the National Guard to Eagle Pass, Texas, and wants state authorities to arrest and deport migrants. Lone Star Republicans passed Senate Bill 4 last year, which would make illegally crossing the border into Texas from Mexico a misdemeanor with a punishment of up to six months in jail. And the premise of SB 4 is to …

US Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas says Texas immigration law is unconstitutional
9 months ago

US Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas says Texas immigration law is unconstitutional

Associated Press  

GUATEMALA CITY — U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Thursday that a Texas law giving state authorities the power to arrest and deport migrants who have entered the country illegally is unconstitutional. is unconstitutional and it is our hope and confidence that the courts will strike it down with finality,” Mayorkas said during a joint news conference with Guatemala …

How Texas' plan to arrest and deport migrants for illegal entry would work
9 months ago

How Texas' plan to arrest and deport migrants for illegal entry would work

Hindustan Times  

A Texas law that would allow the state to arrest and deport people who enter the U.S. illegally is on hold for now while a federal appeals court considers it. Once in custody, migrants could either agree to a Texas judge’s order to leave the U.S. or be prosecuted on misdemeanor charges of illegal entry. While signing the bill, he …

As Texas border arrests law teeters in court, other GOP states also push tougher immigration policy
9 months ago

As Texas border arrests law teeters in court, other GOP states also push tougher immigration policy

Associated Press  

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Republican lawmakers across the country were already jockeying to push their states deeper into immigration enforcement when the Supreme Court, if only briefly, let Texas enforce a new law giving police broad powers to arrest migrants suspected of crossing the border illegally. “We can’t wait for Congress.” Some Democratic-led states are pursuing expansions of immigrant rights, including …

Texas wants to arrest immigrants in the country illegally. Why would that be such a major shift?
9 months ago

Texas wants to arrest immigrants in the country illegally. Why would that be such a major shift?

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Immigration laws are federal laws -- not state laws -- and enforcement of immigration law is the domain of federal law enforcement. Lawmakers there passed a bill that would make illegally crossing the border a state crime, which would theoretically allow state law enforcement to arrest migrants. The passage of this law would mean that state police officers …

Texas wants to arrest immigrants in the country illegally. Why would that be such a major shift?
9 months ago

Texas wants to arrest immigrants in the country illegally. Why would that be such a major shift?

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Lawmakers there passed a bill that would make illegally …

Court action on Texas' migrant arrest law leads to confusion at US-Mexico border
9 months ago

Court action on Texas' migrant arrest law leads to confusion at US-Mexico border

Associated Press  

McALLEN, Texas — A dizzying volley of courtroom maneuvers over a Texas law that would allow the state to arrest and deport people who enter the U.S. illegally sowed confusion at the nation’s border with Mexico on Wednesday as sheriffs, police chiefs and migrants waited for direction. Yolanis Campo, 42, who traveled from Colombia and crossed the Rio Grande to …

Anticipation and anger on Texas border as strict immigration law again on hold
9 months ago

Anticipation and anger on Texas border as strict immigration law again on hold

Associated Press  

McALLEN, Texas — A federal appeals court late Tuesday again prevented Texas from arresting and deporting migrants accused of entering the U.S. illegally, hours after the the law briefly took effect. Mexico’s Foreign Affairs Secretary said in a sharply worded statement that it would refuse to take anyone back who is ordered to leave the country under the state law …

‘Dehumanizing’: Mexico’s president lashes out over Texas immigration law
9 months ago

‘Dehumanizing’: Mexico’s president lashes out over Texas immigration law

LA Times  

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador on Wednesday condemned a Texas law that would give state authorities broad powers to arrest foreigners suspected of illegally crossing from Mexico into Texas. After a day of back-and-forth court decisions that had left the law in effect for just hours, the Mexican president labeled the Texas statute “dehumanizing” and “anti-Christian.” He declared that …

Advocates gird for Texas migrant law that could upheave US immigration
9 months ago

Advocates gird for Texas migrant law that could upheave US immigration

Al Jazeera  

SB4 allows Texas to detain and deport migrants. ‘A huge fear’ The Texas law would empower state and local authorities to detain people suspected of having crossed into the US from Mexico outside of legal ports of entry. Mexico’s government has condemned the law as “inhumane” and has said the country will not accept migrants and asylum seekers deported by …

How Texas' plans to arrest migrants for illegal entry would work
9 months ago

How Texas' plans to arrest migrants for illegal entry would work

New Indian Express  

TEXAS: A law that would allow Texas law enforcement to arrest migrants suspected of illegally entering the U.S. is back on hold. Circuit Court of Appeals late Tuesday issued an order preventing its enforcement, just hours after the Supreme Court allowed the strict new immigration law to take effect. The law would allow any Texas law enforcement officer to arrest …

How Texas’ plan to arrest and deport migrants for illegal entry would work
9 months, 1 week ago

How Texas’ plan to arrest and deport migrants for illegal entry would work

Associated Press  

McALLEN, Texas — A Texas law that would allow the state to arrest and deport people who enter the U.S. illegally is on hold for now while a federal appeals court considers it. Once in custody, migrants could either agree to a Texas judge’s order to leave the U.S. or be prosecuted on misdemeanor charges of illegal entry. While signing …

How Texas’ plans to arrest migrants for illegal entry would work if allowed to take effect
9 months, 1 week ago

How Texas’ plans to arrest migrants for illegal entry would work if allowed to take effect

LA Times  

People are taken into custody at the U.S.-Mexico border in Eagle Pass, Texas, in January. Texas’ plan to arrest migrants who cross the U.S.-Mexico border illegally is on hold while the Supreme Court considers a challenge to Republican Gov. The nation’s highest court put the law on pause over a lawsuit led by the Justice Department, which argues that Texas …

Supreme Court temporarily blocks Texas law that allows police to arrest migrants
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Supreme Court temporarily blocks Texas law that allows police to arrest migrants

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas’ plans to arrest migrants who enter the U.S. illegally and order them to leave the country is headed to the Supreme Court in a legal showdown over the federal government’s authority over immigration. The Justice Department told the Supreme Court that the law would profoundly alter “the status quo that has existed between the United States …

Judge blocks Texas law that gives police broad powers to arrest migrants who illegally enter US
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Judge blocks Texas law that gives police broad powers to arrest migrants who illegally enter US

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — A federal judge on Thursday blocked a new Texas law that would give police broad powers to arrest migrants suspected of illegally entering the U.S., dealing a victory to the Biden administration with a broad rejection of Republican Gov. The ruling rebuked Texas’ immigration enforcement effort on multiple fronts, brushing off claims by Republicans about an ongoing …

Judge blocks Texas law that gives police broad powers to arrest migrants
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Judge blocks Texas law that gives police broad powers to arrest migrants

LA Times  

Migrants who crossed the Rio Grande and entered the U.S. from Mexico are lined up for processing by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in September 2023 in Eagle Pass, Texas. A federal judge on Thursday blocked a new Texas law that gives police broad powers to arrest migrants suspected of illegally entering the U.S., dealing a victory to the Biden …

Judge expresses skepticism at Texas law that lets police arrest migrants for illegal entry
10 months, 1 week ago

Judge expresses skepticism at Texas law that lets police arrest migrants for illegal entry

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — A federal judge on Thursday voiced concerns over a Texas law that would give police broad authority to arrest migrants on charges of illegal entry starting in March, saying it would be a “nightmare” if the U.S. became a patchwork of states enforcing different immigration laws. “That is the same thing the Civil War said you can’t …

Judge skeptical about Texas law that lets police arrest migrants over illegal entry
10 months, 1 week ago

Judge skeptical about Texas law that lets police arrest migrants over illegal entry

LA Times  

People wait to be processed by the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol in Eagle Pass, Texas, after they crossed the Rio Grande from Mexico. A federal judge on Thursday voiced concerns over a Texas law that would give police broad authority to arrest migrants on charges of illegal entry starting in March, saying it would be a “nightmare” if the …

Justice Department Sues Texas Over Law That Would Let Police Arrest Migrants Who Enter U.S. Illegally
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Justice Department Sues Texas Over Law That Would Let Police Arrest Migrants Who Enter U.S. Illegally

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING AUSTIN, Texas — The Justice Department on Wednesday sued Texas over a new law that would allow police to arrest migrants who enter the U.S. illegally, taking Republican Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a news conference in Austin, Texas on June 8, 2021. via Associated Press The Justice Department sent Abbott a letter last week threatening legal …

Justice Department sues Texas over law that would let police arrest migrants who enter US illegally
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Justice Department sues Texas over law that would let police arrest migrants who enter US illegally

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — The Justice Department on Wednesday sued Texas over a new law that would allow police to arrest migrants who enter the U.S. illegally, taking Republican Gov. In response, Abbott posted on X that the Biden administration “not only refuses to enforce current U.S. immigration laws, they now want to stop Texas from enforcing laws against illegal immigration.” …

Texas begins flying migrants from border to Chicago. The first plane carried over 120 people
1 year ago

Texas begins flying migrants from border to Chicago. The first plane carried over 120 people

LA Times  

Migrants who crossed the Rio Grande and entered the U.S. from Mexico are lined up for processing by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Eagle Pass, Texas. The first flight, which Abbott’s office said left from El Paso and arrived Tuesday, was arranged a week after Chicago’s city council took new action over the busloads of migrants that have drawn …

What we know about Texas' new law that lets police arrest migrants who enter the US illegally
1 year ago

What we know about Texas' new law that lets police arrest migrants who enter the US illegally

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. White House press secretary Karine …

What we know about Texas’ new law that lets police arrest migrants who enter the US illegally
1 year ago

What we know about Texas’ new law that lets police arrest migrants who enter the US illegally

Associated Press  

McALLEN, Texas — How far can a state go to keep migrants out of the U.S.? White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre also blasted the Texas law but wouldn’t say whether the Justice Department would challenge it. Under the Texas law, migrants ordered to leave would be sent to ports of entry along the border with Mexico, even if they …

US-Mexico border: 5 big reasons to pay attention to what’s happening right now
1 year ago

US-Mexico border: 5 big reasons to pay attention to what’s happening right now

CNN  

CNN — When it comes to the US-Mexico border, there’s often so much noise that it’s hard to hear — and see — what’s really going on. Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens told CNN’s Rosa Flores recently that agents are “simply overwhelmed” and noted that closing the ports had freed up employees to help process migrants, but also came at …

What we know about Texas’ new law that lets police arrest migrants who enter the U.S. illegally
1 year ago

What we know about Texas’ new law that lets police arrest migrants who enter the U.S. illegally

LA Times  

How far can a state go to keep migrants out of the U.S.? White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre also blasted the Texas law but wouldn’t say whether the Justice Department would challenge it. Once in custody, migrants could either agree to a Texas judge’s order to leave the U.S. or be prosecuted on misdemeanor charges of illegal entry. The …

Groups sue over new Texas law that lets police arrest migrants who enter the US illegally
1 year ago

Groups sue over new Texas law that lets police arrest migrants who enter the US illegally

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — The White House and Mexico’s president on Tuesday came out strongly against a new Texas law that would allow police to arrest migrants who illegally cross into the U.S. and empower local judges to order them to leave the country. It was filed against the head of the Texas Department of Public Safety, whose troopers could arrest …

Texas governor signs law allowing arrest of suspected illegal migrants
1 year ago

Texas governor signs law allowing arrest of suspected illegal migrants

Al Jazeera  

Republican Greg Abbott claims US President Joe Biden has left state to ‘fend for itself’ as he signs controversial bill. The governor of Texas has signed a law allowing state authorities to arrest and deport people suspected of illegally crossing the border between the United States and Mexico. Abbott, who signed the bill in a ceremony in the border town …

Texas governor signs bill that lets police arrest migrants who enter the US illegally
1 year ago

Texas governor signs bill that lets police arrest migrants who enter the US illegally

Associated Press  

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday approved sweeping new powers that allow police to arrest migrants who illegally cross the U.S. border and give local judges authority to order them to leave the country, testing the limits of how far a state can go to enforce immigration laws. Texas Republicans have increasingly challenged the U.S. government’s …

Texas governor signs bill that lets police arrest migrants who enter the U.S. illegally
1 year ago

Texas governor signs bill that lets police arrest migrants who enter the U.S. illegally

LA Times  

Migrants wait to climb over concertina wire after they crossed the Rio Grande and entered the U.S. from Mexico. Greg Abbott on Monday signed into law sweeping new powers that allow police to arrest migrants who cross the border illegally and give local judges authority to order them to leave the country. The new law signed by Abbott allows any …

Texas wants the power to arrest and order migrants to leave the US. Can it do that?
1 year, 1 month ago

Texas wants the power to arrest and order migrants to leave the US. Can it do that?

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — For two years, Texas has pushed boundaries on the U.S.-Mexico border: Busing migrants across America, jailing thousands for trespass and stringing razor wire along the Rio Grande. In a new challenge to the federal government’s authority over immigration, Texas lawmakers on Tuesday night gave final approval to a bill that would allow police to arrest migrants who …

Police in Texas could arrest migrants under a bill that is moving closer to approval by the governor
1 year, 1 month ago

Police in Texas could arrest migrants under a bill that is moving closer to approval by the governor

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas is closer to giving police broad new authority to arrest migrants and order them to leave the U.S. under a bill the state House advanced Thursday, putting Republican Gov. Two years into Texas pushing the boundaries of immigration enforcement — busing migrants out of state, stringing razor wire along the border and installing water barriers in …

Texas police could arrest migrants under bill that is moving closer to approval by governor
1 year, 1 month ago

Texas police could arrest migrants under bill that is moving closer to approval by governor

LA Times  

Migrants who crossed into the U.S. from Mexico are met with concertina wire along the Rio Grande on Sept. 21 in Eagle Pass, Texas. Texas is closer to giving police broad new authority to arrest migrants and order them to leave the U.S. under a bill the state House advanced Thursday, putting Republican Gov. Two years into Texas pushing the …

How governor Greg Abbott is using an obscure ‘invasion’ legal theory for a border power grab in Texas
1 year, 4 months ago

How governor Greg Abbott is using an obscure ‘invasion’ legal theory for a border power grab in Texas

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Under your watch, America is suffering the highest …

Texas Lawmakers Consider Border Vigilante Force
1 year, 8 months ago

Texas Lawmakers Consider Border Vigilante Force

Huff Post  

AUSTIN, Texas ― A bill before the Texas legislature would create a vigilante force to patrol the U.S.-Mexico border, drawing sharp criticism from civil rights groups and raising questions about how far the state’s conservative lawmakers are willing to go to challenge federal control of immigration enforcement. The bill, penned by Republican state Rep. Matt Schaefer, would allow any U.S. …

Texas governor authorizes state to return migrants to border
2 years, 5 months ago

Texas governor authorizes state to return migrants to border

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Gov. Abbott stopped short Wednesday of authorizing Texas troopers and National Guard members — who he has already deployed to the border by the thousands — to take migrants across the ports of entry and into Mexico, disappointing former Trump administration officials who have urged him to do so. Mexico’s Foreign Relations Department said in a …

Texas moves to ease border gridlock over ‘sense of urgency’
2 years, 8 months ago

Texas moves to ease border gridlock over ‘sense of urgency’

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — The logjam of trucks at the U.S.-Mexico border finally began breaking Thursday after nearly a week as Texas Gov. Inspection orders remain in other parts along Texas’ 1,200-mile border, including the busy Rio Grande Valley, but Mexican trade leaders were optimistic those would also end soon. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, a Republican who has urged Abbott …

US-Mexico border gridlock to ease as Texas ending extra checks
2 years, 8 months ago

US-Mexico border gridlock to ease as Texas ending extra checks

Al Jazeera  

Texas will stop carrying out extra inspections of trucks arriving at the United States’s southern border with Mexico, Governor Greg Abbott has said, after the US state reached an agreement with neighbouring Mexican states. Last week, Abbott ordered state authorities to conduct “enhanced safety inspections” of vehicles as they cross from Mexico into Texas in order to uncover smuggling of …

US sues Texas governor to halt new migrant order
3 years, 4 months ago

US sues Texas governor to halt new migrant order

Al Jazeera  

The US Justice Department on Friday sued Texas and its governor, Greg Abbott, seeking to block an order targeting undocumented immigrants that state claimed was a public health measure to contain surging COVID-19 infections. The order interferes with the administration of federal immigration law, the Justice Department said in its complaint filed with the US District Court for the Western …

Justice Department urges Texas to halt new migrant order
3 years, 4 months ago

Justice Department urges Texas to halt new migrant order

LA Times  

Texas Department of Public Safety officers work with a group of migrants who crossed the border and turned themselves in Del Rio, Texas, on June 16. The letter from Garland is among the most forceful measures yet from the Biden administration in response to actions taken by Abbott along the U.S.-Mexico border, which have also included jailing migrants on state …

Texas begins jailing border crossers on trespassing charges
3 years, 5 months ago

Texas begins jailing border crossers on trespassing charges

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas is beginning to arrest migrants on trespassing charges along the U.S.-Mexico border as part of Republican Gov. The arrests put in motion plans that Abbott first announced in June, when he also said that Texas would continue building former President Donald Trump’s border wall and called on other governors to deploy law enforcement and National Guard …

Texas to empty prison to make room for detained migrants
3 years, 6 months ago

Texas to empty prison to make room for detained migrants

Al Jazeera  

The move comes amid wider efforts by Governor Greg Abbott to stop migrants from coming through the US-Mexico border. The US state of Texas is transferring inmates from a state prison to make room for detained migrants, prison authorities said, amid sustained efforts by Governor Greg Abbott to rein in the number of Central American migrants coming from Mexico. “To …

Governor: Texas building new border barrier; no details yet
3 years, 6 months ago

Governor: Texas building new border barrier; no details yet

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Republican Gov. Abbott did not say how much new barrier Texas would erect, where it would be installed along the state’s 1,200 miles of border or what it would look like when he made the announcement Thursday in a room full of sheriffs in the border city of Del Rio. A top official in one of …

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