Biden admin threatens to sue Texas if state arrests and deport migrants
NY Post
The Biden administration warned Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday that legal action will be taken if the state enforces a new law that allows authorities to arrest, jail, prosecute and deport migrants who enter the country illegally.
A Justice Department official said in a letter sent to Abbott that the law was unconstitutional and “contrary to the US commitment of ensuring the processing of noncitizens consistent with the Immigration and Nationality Act.”
The law, dubbed SB4 or Senate Bill 4, is part of the state’s Operation Lone Star. It goes into effect on March 5.
“SB 4 is preempted and violates the United States Constitution. Accordingly, the United States intends to file suit to enjoin the enforcement of SB 4 unless Texas agrees to refrain from enforcing the law,” Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton writes in the missive, obtained by CBS News.
SB 4, signed into law by Abbott on Dec. 18, makes illegally entering the US from Mexico a state crime and authorizes police to arrest individuals suspected of crossing the Rio Grande between ports of entry
Migrants caught illegally entering the country would face a Class B misdemeanor charge carrying a punishment of up to six months in jail. Repeat offenders would be subject to a second-degree felony charge punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
