Under this legislation, known as Senate Bill 4, Texas grants its law enforcement officials the authority to arrest individuals suspected of illegal entry, regardless of their nationality or immigration status.
This move has ignited fierce criticism from opponents who argue that such measures could lead to discrimination, racial profiling, and the separation of families.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott welcomed the court’s decision, hailing the law as a crucial step towards addressing what is a clear crisis along the southern border.
Senate Bill 4 has immediate implications, but also it may set a precedent for other states to enact similar legislation. And this may blur the lines between federal and state jurisdictions.
Pending Appeal
Conservative Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh suggested their votes were not on the merits of the law but stemmed from the technicalities of the appeals process.
While the Supreme Court’s ruling did not determine the constitutionality of the law, dissenting liberal justices expressed concerns over its ramifications.
