HOUSTON — Senate Bill 4will be back in court this week. That’s the sweeping immigration law that gives Texas law enforcement unprecedented power to police the border.
SB4 passed late last year, but since then, there’s been a battle between the state and federal government on enforcement of the controversial law. Right now, the courts have blocked Texas from enforcing it.
On Wednesday, attorneys will have a chance to convince a three-judge panel whether SB4 violates the U.S. Constitution.
The law gives local police broad powers to arrest people who cross into Texas illegally. It also allows judges to send people back to Mexico if convicted.
The U.S. Justice Department sued, saying SB4 oversteps federal authority. The U.S. Supreme Court actually allowed it to go into effect for a few hours, but it was put on hold later that day, thanks to an appeals court ruling. Attorneys will be back in that appeals court this week.
Immigration rights advocates held a protest in Houston just yesterday.
"There's a lot of fear in people, of them getting pulled over, of them getting arrested, of their children getting arrested,” said Cesar Espinosa with FIEL Houston.
The hearing will happen at the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans. Both sides will have 30 minutes to present their arguments.
It could take time for the judges to issue a ruling on SB4. No matter what happens, the other side is expected to appeal. That would kick it up to the Supreme Court to make the ultimate decision.
