While Senate Bill (SB) 4 continues to ricochet through the judicial process, Mexico has condemned the Texas law, stating clearly that it “will not accept, under any circumstances, repatriations by the State of Texas.”
On its official website, the Mexican government lambasts SB 4 for “encouraging the separation of families, discrimination and racial profiling that violate the human rights of the migrant community.”
“As stated since the law was debated in the Texas legislature last year, Mexico categorically rejects any measure that allows state or local authorities to exercise immigration control, and to arrest and return nationals or foreigners to Mexican territory.”
The statement also questions how the law would impact Mexicans who live in Texas and how it could “give rise to hostile environments in which the migrant community is exposed to hate speech, discrimination and racial profiling.”
“Mexico recognizes the importance of a uniform migration policy and the bilateral efforts with the United States to ensure that migration is safe, orderly and respectful of human rights, and is not affected by state or local legislative decisions. In this regard, Mexico will not accept, under any circumstances, repatriations by the State of Texas.”
The Mexican government said they will file an amicus curiae, or friend of the court, brief with the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals to “provide information on the impact that this law will have on the Mexican and/or Mexican-American community, and its effect on the relations between Mexico and the United States.”
SB 4 prohibits any foreign national from illegally entering the United States between ports of entry and also allows state judges to issue deportation orders for anyone charged or convicted of violating the new law.
A three-judge panel at the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals voted 2 to 1 to lift a stay on SB 4, reinstating a district court injunction that temporarily blocks the law from taking effect while the judges are considering it.
Previously, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) denied the Biden administration's request to pause the law’s implementation while its constitutionality is reviewed by the 5th Circuit.
SCOTUS had previously issued a stay on the 5th Circuit's order, which had lifted the initial injunction from a federal judge on March 5 that prevented SB 4 from taking effect.
Oral arguments are set to be heard today in the 5th Circuit.
Adding to the intrigue surrounding SB 4, Republican Party of Texas Chairman Matt Rinaldi said that local officials could not opt out of enforcing it because of Texas’ 2017 Sanctuary City Ban that requires local government officials and law enforcement to comply with federal and state immigration laws or be subject to removal from office.
