A day after being signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott, a bill criminalizing illegal border crossings in Texas is now facing its first legal challenge.
The ACLU, ACLU of Texas, and the Texas Civil Rights Project filed a lawsuit on Tuesday, arguing that Senate Bill 4 is unconstitutional and preempted by federal law.
The law, set to take effect on March 5 next year, allows the state to arrest and potentially deport individuals crossing between ports of entry, a power traditionally held by federal authorities.
Gov. Abbott vows to defend the law, stating it’s necessary due to President Biden’s perceived failure to enforce federal immigration laws.
The lawsuit is filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division, but a hearing date is yet to be determined.
