Local authorities and leaders react to Supreme Court’s decision to freeze SB 4 again
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- On Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court extended a temporary freeze on Texas' Senate Bill 4, which allows state law enforcement to arrest and detain people they suspect entered the U.S. illegally.
The administrative hold gives the court additional time to review the case and does not necessarily signal which way the justices are leaning.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed the law in December, sparking concerns of increased racial profiling, detentions, and attempted deportations by state authorities.
Latinos represent 40 percent of Texas' population.
The Biden administration and others filed an emergency application with the Supreme Court on March 4th asking the justices to block the enforcement of the law.
Local leaders, migrant advocates, and supporters of Senate Bill 4 are reacting to this administrative extension
"I think it's great that the Supreme Court is addressing this issue. This is a national issue anyway, but the Supreme Court addressing it brings it up again to the national level, said Adolpho Telles, the chairman of the republican party in El Paso County.
ABC-7 spoke with the Border Network for Human Rights' communications director Alan Lizarraga who said this extension is good because it gives time to the network to keep strengthening education in the community on SB 4.
They also know it is a temporary relief.
"It is going to create a lot of conflict because a lot of law enforcement do not agree that they're going to be chasing, El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego said.
"They have so many things to do with criminals and people that are dangerous to our community, to be trying to arrest a person that just wants to come in and get a job and be able to support their family and live in the U.S., Judge Samaniego added.
The law would have taken effect on Wednesday, but now it will remain paused through Monday.
ABC-7 also reached out to the office of Congressman Tony Gonzales for comment on this morning's ruling.
