Jayapal Statement on SCOTUS Ruling Undermining Federal Immigration Law
WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee, issued the following statement regarding today’s Supreme Court decision on Senate Bill 4 (SB4), a Texas law giving state officials permission to arrest, jail and deport migrants suspected of crossing the border without authorization.
“This is an appallingly cruel and clearly unconstitutional law. This legislation will not only create chaos, confusion, and disorder in the immigration system — it will lead to racial profiling of immigrant and minority communities, stoking fear in communities across Texas.
“SB4 turns immigration enforcement on its head, requiring local police to carry out federal immigration functions. It undercuts the trust local police need to help ensure safer communities. That is why this ‘show me your papers’ legislation is opposed by the Texas Police Chiefs Association and members of the Texas Major Cities Chiefs, which includes the police chiefs in Dallas, Houston, Austin, Arlington, Fort Worth, and San Antonio.
“There is no question that immigration reform is critical, but this kind of xenophobic legislation that circumvents and undermines current federal law will do nothing but put further strain on the border. While this decision still allows for the 5th Circuit Court to block SB4, the fact that it is able to take effect in the meantime is deeply troubling.”
Issues: Immigration