Texas has stirred controversy with its latest anti-immigration legislation, S.B. 4, which deems illegal entry into the state a state-level infraction and grants state police the authority to enforce immigration laws—a move that challenges federal jurisdiction.
Already under legal scrutiny, civil rights and Latino advocacy groups have initiated legal challenges against the law, echoing denouncement from the Biden administration. Legal expert Steve Vladeck, in a recent MSNBC article, drew parallels between S.B. 4 and Arizona’s S.B. 1070, a law deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 2012. The court ruled against S.B. 1070, citing its impractical enforceability, violation of civil and human rights, and propensity for racial profiling.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott reportedly seeks U.S. Supreme Court intervention, particularly in light of the court’s altered composition under Donald Trump’s administration. However, the law is currently in effect, leaving many Texans vulnerable to a situation reminiscent of the challenges faced by Arizonans during the S.B. 1070 era. The potential chaos may pose political risks for Abbott.
Drawing from personal experience as an Arizona native, the article highlights the negative impact of S.B. 1070, which transformed friends and neighbors into potential criminals out of fear of being targeted by local law enforcement based on immigration status. The psychological trauma inflicted on thousands of Latinos and other immigrants empowered figures like Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, symbolizing anti-Latino sentiment nationally. The law triggered mass protests, with school children leaving classrooms, artists boycotting performances, and Arizona incurring substantial financial losses due to legal fees and business boycotts.
The piece concludes by cautioning against premature celebration of the law’s enactment, emphasizing the anticipated legal battles ahead. Drawing on Arizona’s experience, it suggests that allowing the law to stand may lead to further complications for the Lone Star State, echoing the potential for a transformative political landscape spurred by the activism that arose in response to S.B. 1070 in Arizona.