Texas Warned Not to Interfere with Federal Government
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued a stern warning to Texas, stating that it will take legal action to ensure that the state does not interfere with the functions of the federal government regarding immigration. The DOJ’s letter, initially reported by the Houston Chronicle, argues that Texas’ recently enacted immigration law infringes upon the federal government’s authority in this domain. It cites a 2012 Supreme Court ruling, U.S. v Arizona, which affirmed the federal government’s power to enforce immigration law.
Texas Prepared to Take the Fight to Supreme Court
In response to the DOJ’s warning, Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s office has asserted that the state is ready to defend its legislation all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Abbott’s spokesperson, Renae Eze, stated that Texas is determined to protect its citizens from what they perceive as President Biden’s lax stance on border security. Eze criticized the administration’s inaction at the southern border, emphasizing that Texas had to take matters into its own hands by enacting Senate Bill 4, which aims to curb illegal entry into the state.
A Series of Disputes Between Texas and Biden Administration
This legal battle is only the latest clash between Texas and the Biden administration regarding the ongoing illegal immigration crisis at the border. Governor Abbott has consistently accused the administration of failing to secure the border, while the administration has condemned Abbott’s policies as inhumane. Recently, a federal appeals court temporarily halted the Biden administration’s attempts to dismantle razor wire installed by Texas. Additionally, the DOJ has filed a separate lawsuit against Texas over the state’s deployment of buoys in the Rio Grande River to prevent illegal crossings. Humanitarian groups and the DOJ argue that the barrier poses safety risks.
White House Criticizes Texas for Busing Migrants to “Sanctuary” Cities
Governor Abbott has faced criticism from the White House for transporting migrants to “sanctuary” cities such as Chicago and New York City. Abbott defends this measure as necessary to alleviate the strain on border communities. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre accused Abbott of endangering law enforcement and vilifying immigrants through his actions.
Record Numbers at the Border
As the legal battle unfolds, the southern border continues to witness record numbers of migrant encounters. Over the four-day Christmas weekend alone, there were more than 35,000 such encounters, and since December 1, there have been over 250,000. These staggering figures highlight the urgency of the situation.
High-Level Talks with Mexico
Amidst this ongoing crisis, a delegation from the Biden administration, featuring Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, met with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to discuss the challenges faced in the region. These discussions aimed to foster cooperation and find effective solutions to the immigration issue.
