The on-again, off-again state immigration law is once more on hold while the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals considers its constitutionality. Senate Bill 4 would allow state and local law enforce- _____ _________ ___ _______ ____ __ port people suspected of entering the state illegally from Mexico, the Austin American-Statesman reported. The U.S. Supreme Court last Tuesday removed a temporary hold on the law, which allowed it to take effect for several hours before the 5th Circuit court again stopped SB4 from being enforced while it considers its constitutionality.
At issue is whether the law usurps federal power to enforce border laws. A three-judge panel from the appeals court held a hearing last week but made no ruling.
“SB 4 is a modest, but important statute. It’s modest because it mirrors federal law,” Texas Solicitor General Aaron Nielson told the judges during Wednesday's hearing. “It’s important because it helps to address what even the president has called a border crisis.”
