Texas Gov. Abbott Signs Bill Allowing Arrest of Migrants, Setting Up Federal Showdown

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed into law SB4, one of the harshest state immigration laws in modern U.S. history, allowing state officials to arrest and seek deportation of migrants suspected of crossing the border with Mexico illegally. The law grants Texas law enforcement authorities the power to stop, arrest, and jail migrants on new state-level illegal entry charges, and allows state judges to issue de facto deportation orders. It is expected to face legal challenges from civil rights groups and potentially the Biden administration. The law is set to take effect in March 2024, pending lawsuits.