5th Circuit Court of Appeals Halts Texas’ Controversial SB 4 Immigration Law Pending Appeal
The 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals late in the evening on Tuesday, September 7, issued a ruling to halt the implementation of Texas’ SB 4 immigration law. The controversial legislation, which had been temporarily put into effect by a different panel of judges, will now be kept on hold until the appeals process is completed.
In a succinct yet significant order, a trio of judges within the 5th Circuit Court voted to reverse the previous decision. Two judges agreed with this action, while one judge, Circuit Judge Andrew Oldham, publicly expressed his dissent and advocated for leaving the stay in place until the scheduled arguments on Wednesday, September 8.
The three-judge panel that issued Tuesday’s order will preside over Texas’ appeal of the federal judge’s injunction blocking SB 4. The court will examine the merits of the state’s argument for allowing the law to go into effect while the appeal proceeds.
The brief but momentous decision comes as a relief for various organizations and individuals who have voiced concerns regarding the potential adverse effects of SB 4 on immigrant communities. The law, among other provisions, empowers local law enforcement to inquire about a person’s immigration status during the course of their duties and imposes criminal penalties on government employees who fail to comply with certain reporting requirements.
This development marks a significant turn in the ongoing legal performance surrounding SB 4, and all eyes will be on Wednesday’s scheduled arguments to determine the future of this contentious legislation.
Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving situation.