The Federal Government Sues Texas as Republicans Use Border as Backdrop for More Stunts
For Immediate Release: January 3, 2024
TEXAS – The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the State of Texas for implementing a new law that empowers Texas police officers to arrest and detain any person on the suspicion that they have crossed the border illegally.
Senator Roland Gutierrez issued a statement in response to the lawsuit against Texas’ dangerous border bill:
“I commend the Department of Justice for upholding federal law and suing the state of Texas. This law is unconstitutional and gives law enforcement free reign to harass Latinos and people of color, including citizens and lawful permanent residents.
“Make no mistake, the failure to cooperate and do something about the issues at our southern border fall on extremist Republicans who have chosen chaos over solutions at the border, because that’s what gets them airtime on Fox News. It’s time to put an end to the made-for-TV stunts and focus on real solutions that will help our border communities thrive and supercharge the American economy.”
The new law empowers local police forces and judges to oversee federal immigration law, authorizing untrained local judges to order immigrants to return to Mexico. Civil liberties groups have previously sued to stop the law from taking effect.
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