Justice Department sues Texas over law to let police arrest illegal immigrants

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against Texas over a state law that permits the arrest of undocumented immigrants. The filing puts the state's Republican Governor, Greg Abbott, at odds with President Biden's administration over the ongoing crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border. The law, which was recently passed after Governor Abbott's endorsement, contests the federal government's control over immigration proceedings. Not only President Biden but also cities like New York and Chicago have openly opposed Abbott’s decision to send migrants from Texas to their cities. The U.S. federal government argues that Texas lacks the authority to create and implement its own immigration protocol.

In addition to its challenges with the federal government, Texas is engaged in a separate legal dispute over the installation of a barrier in the Rio Grande river, which has infuriated Mexican officials. Under the Texas law, migrants are presented with either agreeing to a judge's order to leave the U.S or facing prosecution on charges of unlawful entry. Those who refuse to leave risk potentially severe felony charges upon subsequent arrests. Those expelled would be sent to points of entry along the Mexico border, regardless of their nationality.

In defense of his state's right to oversee its own immigration, Governor Abbott accused the Biden administration of failing to enforce U.S. immigration laws. He argued that the administration not only fails to enforce current regulations but also aims to prevent Texas from implementing its own laws against illegal immigration. Abbott’s actions have sparked outrage among Democrats in progressive cities, who argue their areas lack the necessary resources to support the influx of migrants they’ve received.

Last month, numerous instances of illegal crossings along the southern U.S. border exceeded 10,000 in one day, a figure U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Commissioner Troy Miller dubbed "unprecedented." As a result, authorities temporarily closed cargo rail crossings in Eagle Pass and El Paso in response to the surge of migrants traveling by freight train from Mexico to the border.