Tough Texas immigration law nears. Residents have questions.
At the edge of the Texas-Mexico border last week, beneath the shade of towering trees, immigrant advocates convened in a Brownsville park to protest a new state law.
“No SB4!” they chanted, rallying in English and Spanish, calling the bill “anti-immigrant.” Two months earlier in Brownsville, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott had signed that Texas Senate Bill 4 into law.
As the Biden administration and Texas continue to clash over illegal immigration, the Lone Star State seeks to expand its own immigration enforcement powers through SB4, in a test of traditional state and federal roles. Barring a court ruling expected soon, the law goes into effect March 5.
SB4 empowers local law enforcement to arrest individuals suspected of entering the state illegally, and extends deportation powers to Texas judges. Beyond raising fear and due process concerns in immigrant communities, SB4 is also sparking questions around the logistics of enforcement.
After all, legal experts say, immigration enforcement has long been, a win for Texas could open a new legal era.
