A federal appeals court in New Orleans has cleared the way for Texas to enforce key provisions of a controversial law allowing state officials to arrest and deport individuals suspected of crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a 2-1 ruling on Friday, lifting a previous injunction that had temporarily blocked the law.
Legal Challenge and Injunction
The law, known as SB 4, faced immediate legal challenges from civil rights organizations. U.S. District Judge David Ezra, based in Austin, had issued a preliminary injunction on May 14. Judge Ezra concluded that the state law overstepped federal authority, which has historically controlled immigration and deportation matters.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, swiftly appealed Judge Ezra’s decision. Friday’s ruling by the 5th Circuit panel directly addresses this appeal, allowing enforcement to proceed while further legal battles likely unfold.
Civil Rights Groups Vow to Continue Fight
Groups representing the plaintiffs, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), its Texas affiliate, and the Texas Civil Rights Project, expressed deep disappointment with the appeals court’s decision. In a joint statement, they declared their intention to
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