The Department of Justice threatens legal action against Texas for its recent immigration law, asserting federal supremacy in immigration control.
By yourNEWS Media Staff
The Department of Justice, under the administration of President Joe Biden, has issued a stern warning to Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, concerning the enforcement of a newly enacted state law. This legislation empowers state and local law enforcement officials to arrest individuals who illegally enter the United States.
In a letter sent to Governor Abbott, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton stated that the federal government would employ all necessary legal measures to ensure that Texas does not obstruct the federal government’s immigration responsibilities. The letter cites a 2012 Supreme Court ruling to emphasize the federal government’s exclusive jurisdiction over immigration issues, arguing that Texas’ new law intrudes into a domain federally occupied and is therefore preempted.
The DOJ’s letter, affirming that immigration removal processes must be under the discretion of the federal government, comes in the wake of Governor Abbott signing a law that allows Texas police to arrest migrants who illegally cross the U.S.-Mexico border.
Set to take effect in March 2024, the new legislation, known as SB 4, criminalizes illegal entry or re-entry into Texas, with penalties ranging from six months in jail to 20 years in prison.
Governor Abbott, criticizing President Biden’s immigration policies, stated during the bill’s signing that Texas is compelled to act independently due to what he perceives as the federal government’s inaction.
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador also responded to the new Texas law, accusing Abbott of political posturing.
The federal government’s intervention to prevent Texas from enforcing its own border security measures coincides with a significant influx of migrants at the southern border, challenging Border Patrol resources. Reports of large migrant caravans approaching the U.S. border have raised concerns, with some attributing this movement to the actions of globalist NGOs operating under humanitarian pretexts.