A new law that gives local law enforcement in Texas the authority to arrest migrants “violates the US Constitution,” the Department of Justice said in a letter to Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday, threatening to sue unless Abbott backs down from enforcing it.

The letter, obtained by CNN, marks the latest escalation between President Joe Biden and Abbott over the handling of the US-Mexico border.

Earlier this month, Abbott, a Republican, signed into law the measure, known as Senate Bill 4, which gives local law enforcement the power to arrest migrants and gives judges the ability to issue orders to remove people from the United States. The White House slammed the law, calling it “incredibly extreme.” It’s expected to take effect in March.

  • Boddhisatva@lemmy.world
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    11 months ago

    Sure does. The Federal government decides who gets to enter the country. Anyone who is allowed into the country is allowed to travel to any state. Therefore, if the fed says these people can enter the country to request asylum or whatever, no state can just arrest them.

    • AnneBonny@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      11 months ago

      Anyone who is allowed into the country is allowed to travel to any state. Therefore, if the fed says these people can enter the country to request asylum or whatever, no state can just arrest them.

      Why do you think this law would permit the arrest of individuals who are in compliance with federal law?

      A new law that makes it a state crime in Texas to enter the state illegally is “incredibly extreme,” the White House said Tuesday, a day after Gov. Greg Abbott signed it into law.

      https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/19/politics/white-house-response-texas-law/index.html

      • Boddhisatva@lemmy.world
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        11 months ago

        I don’t. I posted that if the fed says someone can enter the USA then a state cannot arrest them for being here. Sorry if my last post was unclear.

      • LilB0kChoy@midwest.social
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        11 months ago

        The enforcement of immigration law is a federal responsibility

        Doesn’t matter if the individuals arrested under this are in compliance with federal law. The US CBP and ICE are responsible for enforcing immigration laws for the federal government. Abbott doesn’t like that he doesn’t have control and is trying to illegally mandate that he does.

        Other border states work with the federal government but that doesn’t fit Abbot and the Texas Republikkklan’s agenda.