AUSTIN \u2014 The U.S. Justice Department dropped its lawsuit against Texas\u2019 Senate Bill 4, a 2023 state law that gave the state a role in arresting and deporting undocumented migrants.<\/p>\n
Justice Department officials announced the decision in a late-night filing Tuesday. However, the case against Texas continues as private parties \u2014 El Paso County and two migrant advocacy groups \u2014 fight the state over the law.<\/p>\n
U.S. District Judge David Ezra anticipated President Donald Trump\u2019s Justice Department might drop the case in a Jan. 30 filing in which he set a July 8 trial date. Trump campaigned on launching the largest deportation operation in the country\u2019s history, and Texas state leaders are willing participants in helping his administration carry out its immigration crackdown.<\/p>\n
Related:Federal judge sets trial date on legality of 2023 Texas immigration law<\/p>\n
Breaking News<\/p>\n
\u201cGovernor Abbott appreciates the federal government removing itself from litigation that President Biden foolishly entered, but the fight is not yet over,\u201d said Andrew Mahaleris, a spokesman for Gov. Greg Abbott. \u201cTexas will not back down from upholding its constitutional right to defend itself.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Justice Department did not respond to an email seeking comment on the lawsuit.<\/p>\n
The Justice Department\u2019s decision to drop the case is \u201cgreat news for Texas,\u201d said Rep. David Spiller, R-Jacksboro, who was the House sponsor of SB 4.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fight for Texans to be able to protect and secure our sovereignty is looming, but I have never felt better about our position,\u201d Spiller wrote on social media Tuesday night. \u201cBring it.\u201d<\/p>\n
This is great news for Texas. The fight for Texans to be able to protect and secure our sovereignty is looming, but I have never felt better about our position. Bring it. https:\/\/t.co\/pzmqPdrGev<\/p>\n
\u2014 David Spiller (@DavidSpillerTX) March 19, 2025<\/p>\n
Despite the Justice Department\u2019s decision, SB 4 will not go into effect. The law is blocked from being enforced following multiple rulings in district and appeals courts.<\/p>\n
SB 4 created new state crimes for illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. It also established a state-initiated removal process, allowing migrants convicted of illegal entry or reentry from a foreign nation to be deported after serving their state sentence.<\/p>\n
Migrants could be removed without a conviction under SB 4 if a judge or magistrate determined they likely entered or reentered the country illegally. The charge could be dismissed with a written order requiring the migrant to return to the country \u201cfrom which the person entered or attempted to enter.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Justice Department under President Joe Biden sued Texas in January 2024 \u2014 a month after Abbott signed the law. Biden officials argued that the law was unconstitutional as the federal government is responsible for enforcing federal immigration laws.<\/p>\n
The US Justice Department’s decision to drop its lawsuit against Texas’ Senate Bill 4 is a significant development in the ongoing debate over immigration policy. While the law will not go into effect due to court rulings, the decision is seen as a victory for Texas state leaders who support the law. The case will continue with private parties fighting the state over the law.<\/p>\n
Q: What is Senate Bill 4?<\/p>\n
A: Senate Bill 4 is a 2023 Texas state law that gives the state a role in arresting and deporting undocumented migrants.<\/p>\n
Q: Why did the US Justice Department drop its lawsuit against SB 4?<\/p>\n
A: The Justice Department did not provide a reason for dropping the lawsuit, but it is seen as a significant development in the ongoing debate over immigration policy.<\/p>\n
Q: What happens next in the case?<\/p>\n
A: The case will continue with private parties, including El Paso County and two migrant advocacy groups, fighting the state over the law.<\/p>\n
Q: Is SB 4 currently in effect?<\/p>\n
A: No, SB 4 is blocked from being enforced due to multiple court rulings.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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