(San Antonio, Texas)--The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) is pleased a 5th Circuit Court of Appeals panel has ruled that SB 4, Texas’ state deportation law, will remain on hold as litigation regarding this unconstitutional, unprecedented, radical law is ongoing. The ILRC, along with many partners in Texas and around the country, have campaigned for this law to never be allowed to go into effect due to the devastating impact on Black and Brown people in Texas as well as the threat it poses to the constitutional and civil rights of everyone in the US.
“SB 4 continues to be on hold temporarily. There is nothing temporary about the fear the law is causing for all Black and Brown Texans regardless of status,” said ILRC Policy Attorney & Strategist Priscilla Olivarez. “The only solution is for this law to be repealed. If it is allowed to go into effect, it will give the green light to anti-immigrant lawmakers everywhere that a racist hate agenda can be sanctioned.”
The ILRC will be continuing its education and advocacy efforts to make sure all Texans are aware of the dangers of SB 4. The ILRC has created a Know Your Rights and Travel Advisory Map. The map displays the counties in Texas that have implemented policies and actions against immigrants, particularly under Operation Lone Star (OLS), and other anti-immigrant legislation.
SB 4 empowers a broad array of so-called peace officers to arrest and detain anyone they suspect has crossed into Texas from Mexico without authorization and empowers magistrate judges to order them deported. The ILRC is mindful that while SB 4’s constitutionality is litigated, Texans face over-policing and heightened fear in their communities.
SB 4 is an extension of OLS, Gov. Greg Abbott’s unconstitutional and deadly law enforcement scheme that wastes vital state resources to target migrants for arrest, jail, and deportation. Created in March 2021 by Abbott and backed by $10 billion of state funds, this operation is designed to criminalize and endanger border communities and migrants alike, many of whom are seeking safety in the United States.
You can find more information on OLS at www.endlonestar.com.
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The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) is a national nonprofit that works with immigrants, community organizations, legal professionals, and policy makers to build a democratic society that values diversity and the rights of all people. Through community education programs, legal training & technical assistance, and policy development & advocacy, the ILRC works to protect and defend the fundamental rights of immigrant families and communities. Follow us at www.ilrc.org, and on Twitter and Instagram @the_ILRC