A federal judge in Texas granted a preliminary injunction blocking a new state law from taking effect that would have made illegal immigration a state crime.
The law, known as Senate Bill 4, would have allowed state authorities to arrest and jail undocumented immigrants and give judges power to order deportations.
However, the judge ruled that states do not have authority to enforce immigration law without federal authorization.
Several civil rights groups had sued Texas after Governor Abbott signed the bill, arguing it conflicted with the Constitution and federal law.
The judge agreed, saying the measure interfered with US foreign policy.
Opponents viewed it as the most aggressive state attempt to crack down on immigration since an Arizona law was partially struck down by the Supreme Court.
The ruling was seen as a victory for those arguing the Texas law violated human rights and constitutional principles.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU),said, “VICTORY: A federal court just BLOCKED Texas’ anti-immigrant law #SB4 from taking effect March 5.”
“This is a win for Texas values, human rights, and the Constitution,” the ACLU continued.
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