Mexico has filed an amicus brief in support of the Biden administration’s lawsuit against Texas’ S.B. 4, an anti-illegal immigration law that would allow police to arrest illegal immigrants and state judges to order them deported. The Mexican government claims that the law would impinge on Mexico’s “sovereign right” to determine who enters the country and create tension in U.S.-Mexico relations, potentially leading to discrimination against Mexican nationals. Mexico expressed concern that the law could result in the removal of illegal immigrants to Mexico regardless of their nationality or Mexico’s own entry policies.
Texas argues that S.B. 4 is necessary due to the Biden administration’s alleged failure to secure the southern border and enforce immigration law. The law, signed by Governor Greg Abbott in December, has been on hold due to the challenge from the Biden administration, which contends that the law is unconstitutional, harms international relations, and interferes with federal immigration enforcement. Mexico is worried that the enforcement of S.B. 4 will lead to harassment, detention, removal, and criminalization of Mexican citizens and individuals of Latino appearance, stating that it opposes the law’s enforcement which could interfere with Mexico’s right to control who enters its territory.
Mexico has requested that the Fifth Circuit Court continue to keep the injunction on S.B. 4 in place, preventing the law from going into effect. The legal battle over the law has become contentious, with the Supreme Court briefly allowing it to go into effect before the Fifth Circuit blocked it pending further arguments on the merits. Despite the legal challenges, Governor Abbott has reaffirmed that Texas has the legal authority to arrest individuals who enter the U.S. illegally, with or without S.B. 4, and will continue to enforce trespassing laws at the border. The immigration law controversy comes as February border numbers were announced, showing a record number of encounters for the month.
In its amicus brief, Mexico emphasizes that the enforcement of S.B. 4 could have negative implications for U.S.-Mexico trade relations and could lead to the improper treatment of Mexican nationals and individuals of Latino appearance. The Mexican government is also concerned that the law may disregard Mexico’s own policies regarding entry into its territory. The brief highlights Mexico’s opposition to the law and expresses fears that its enforcement could lead to discrimination and criminalization of Mexican citizens. Mexico asserts its sovereign right to determine who enters its territory and requests that the injunction on S.B. 4 be maintained to prevent potential negative impacts on international relations.
The legal battle over S.B. 4 underscores the ongoing debate between Texas and the Biden administration over immigration policy and border security. While Texas argues that the law is necessary to address the federal government’s alleged failures in securing the border, Mexico and the Biden administration contend that it could lead to discriminatory practices and impede Mexico’s sovereign rights. The outcome of the legal challenge and the potential implications of S.B. 4 on U.S.-Mexico relations remain uncertain as the case moves forward in the courts. The Mexican government’s involvement in the lawsuit reflects its commitment to protecting the rights and interests of Mexican citizens and ensuring that its sovereignty is respected in matters of immigration enforcement.
