A court has frozen Texas’s controversial immigration law, one of the toughest of its kind, in a case being closely watched across the US. The legislation would allow officials in Texas to detain and prosecute anyone they think has entered the country illegally, superseding federal powers.
The law briefly came into force on Tuesday for a few hours during a legal back and forth between courts. On Wednesday the US appeals court will hear the case.
The SB4 law in Texas was due to come into effect on 5 March but President Joe Biden’s administration challenged it on the grounds that immigrant detention should remain in their hands.
Migrant arrivals at the southern US border have risen to record highs during his administration, making it a top concern among US voters ahead of November’s presidential election.
That has led Texas to take stronger action on its border with Mexico and if the courts uphold its new law then other US states may follow.
Mexico has criticised the new law as anti-immigrant and has said it will refuse to accept any migrants deported by Texas authorities.
Credit: bbc.com
