(NewsNation) — The American Civil Liberties Union is suing to halt a Texas law that would authorize police to arrest migrants suspected of crossing the border illegally.
Texas is one of several border states that has been dealing with an influx of migrants and has instituted numerous policies to try to combat the issue. Those include busing migrants to other states and building barriers along the border.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott recently signed strict immigration legislation that would make it possible for local and state police to arrest those they suspect crossed into the U.S. without going through the proper process.
The ACLU and Texas Civil Rights Project say the law violates immigrants’ right to seek asylum, which is legally guaranteed regardless of how someone enters the country.
The organizations also claim the law is unconstitutional because Congress has granted the federal government the sole power of immigration enforcement.
Abbott responded with a statement blaming President Joe Biden for failing to enforce immigration laws.
“In his absence, Texas has the constitutional authority to secure our border through historic laws like SB 4. Texas will take this fight all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary to protect Texans from President Biden’s dangerous open border policies,” he said.