A three-judge federal appeals court ruled overnight that Senate Bill ( SB ) 4 would extend its authority over a new Texas immigration law.
The decision prevents the controversial legislation from going into effect while the litigation is ongoing.
In a 2- 1 voting, the three- determine panel of the New Orleans- based Fifth U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the law if may be blocked.
Just days after the Supreme Court announced that the law might become lawful, the same court partially frozen it on March 19.
” A provincial power”
The Supreme Court has ruled that the exclusive authority to regulate immigration, including the access, admission, and removal of noncitizens, is a national power, according to Judge Priscilla Richman’s majority opinion.
The decision cited a 2012 Supreme Court ruling that invalidated a similar legislation in Arizona.
In addition to imposing criminal penalties, SB4 would permit authorities to make arrests for migrants who are suspected of crossing the Mexican border illegally. Additionally, it may give state attorneys the authority to order deportations to Mexico.
Texas officials may appeal Wednesday’s decision with the U. S. Supreme judge.
