ACLU Files Lawsuit to Halt Parts of SB-4 Law in Texas Before May 15
· Telemundo McAllen (KTLM)
HOUSTON, Texas – The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed a new lawsuit aiming to stop certain provisions of the controversial state law SB-4, which allows state agents and local police in Texas to intervene in the enforcement of immigration laws. The case seeks to block specific provisions before May 15, a key date for its implementation. SB-4 has faced a lengthy legal battle since 2023. After court decisions and appeals, the measure was recently cleared for enforcement; however, civil rights organizations have maintained new legal fronts to prevent the state from taking on roles they argue belong to the federal government. According to Caro Rivera Nelson, an ACLU attorney, it is 'a state law that allows local police in Texas to arrest and deport immigrants they suspect are not here legally.' The new lawsuit, filed by the ACLU and allies, aims to block parts of the law, including what they describe as the criminalization of 're-entry' and other provisions that would expand state authority over immigration matters. Rivera Nelson warned that under SB-4, a person who has entered without authorization could face consequences even if they currently have some legal protection. 'If there are people who have entered illegally, even if they have legal protections now, the police can find them and under SB-4, if they have entered illegally, they can be deported,' she said. Additionally, the lawsuit seeks to halt immigration powers granted to judges and state agents, arguing that the state would be creating its own immigration enforcement scheme. In response to a request for comments from Telemundo Houston, the Texas Department of Public Safety stated that it does not comment on pending litigation.
AI summary · Source: Telemundo McAllen (KTLM) →
