A Federal Appeals Court has upheld a temporary hold on Texas’ controversial law aimed at arresting migrants suspected of illegally entering the U.S., thwarting Republican Governor Greg Abbott’s immigration enforcement plans pending further legal review. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 2-1 ruling, reiterated concerns over the law’s constitutionality and potential clash with federal immigration control.

Chief Judge Priscilla Richman, citing precedent, highlighted the exclusive federal authority over immigration control. The law, akin to Arizona’s previously struck-down statute, faces accusations of overreach and creating state-level immigration offenses. The Justice Department argued against it, citing potential chaos at the border.

Judge Andrew Oldham dissented, arguing for Texas’ right to address border challenges independently. The law, briefly active in March, allows Texas officers to arrest and prosecute migrants for illegal entry, raising practical challenges for sheriffs and concerns over civil rights violations.

Sheriffs in border and non-border counties expressed logistical and jurisdictional hurdles, with doubts about its efficacy and potential misuse. Critics fear racial profiling, while supporters emphasize probable cause requirements for arrests.

The legal saga underscores deep political and legal divisions in immigration enforcement, with broader implications for state-federal jurisdictional boundaries. The ruling maintains the law’s suspension, leaving its future uncertain amid ongoing legal battles and border policy debates.

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