Staff Reports
In the midst of the ongoing border crisis, states are taking matters into their own hands and following the lead of Texas in deterring illegal immigrants from entering their jurisdictions. A handful of states have been quick to adopt similar laws to Texas S.B. 4, which the Supreme Court recently allowed to be implemented.
States copy Texas after Supreme Court permits local police to arrest and deport illegal immigrants https://t.co/874u6rGbnv https://t.co/874u6rGbnv
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) March 27, 2024
This move has been met with opposition from liberal strongholds like New York City and Chicago, both of which are struggling to handle the massive influx of people crossing the border under President Joe Biden. These sanctuary cities have come to realize that their open-door policies are not sustainable.
The Texas law effectively puts in place state-level immigration measures, allowing state and local law enforcement to enforce these laws. This is groundbreaking because historically, only federal agencies like U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement were tasked with enforcing immigration laws. The new law also allows local judges to order the deportation of illegal immigrants in custody.
Former acting director of ICE, John Sandweg, emphasized the significance of the Supreme Court’s decision, indicating that it sets a precedent for other states to follow suit.
Iowa has successfully passed a bill similar to Texas S.B. 4, and other states like Missouri, Kansas, and New Hampshire are actively pursuing their own versions of the law. Even states as far as Florida are taking steps to strengthen penalties for illegal immigrants.
Despite objections from Democrats like Judge Lina Hidalgo, who claim that non-border states have no legitimate need for immigration laws, the fact remains that illegal immigration affects the entire country and it is the responsibility of all states to address this issue.
The Texas law has faced legal challenges, with the Justice Department and civil rights groups suing the state. However, the state has remained steadfast in its efforts to address the border crisis, deploying thousands of National Guard soldiers and Department of Public Safety officers to apprehend illegal immigrants.
The states’ determination to enforce their own immigration laws in the face of the federal government’s failure to address the border crisis is a testament to their commitment to protecting their citizens. It is clear that states are stepping up where the Biden administration has failed, and these measures are crucial in upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety and security of all Americans.
