“Texas cannot run its own immigration system,” the Justice Department wrote in a 2024 court filing. “Its efforts, through SB 4, intrude on the federal government’s exclusive authority to regulate the entry and removal of noncitizens, frustrate the United States’ immigration operations and proceedings, and interfere with U.S. foreign relations.”
The Trump administration has instructed the Department of Justice to request a voluntary dismissal of a lawsuit filed against Texas, which accused the state of attempting to usurp federal authority by empowering domestic law enforcement officers to detain and arrest undocumented immigrants.
According to The Associated Press, the Justice Department first filed its complaint in January 2024, citing constitutional and legal concerns about Texas Senate Bill 4. Signed by Gov. Greg Abbott in 2023, the law not only lets Texas police officers detain immigrants—it gives local judges authority to order deportations, too.
Immigrants found in violation of Senate Bill 4 could be charged with a Class B misdemeanor, which carries penalties of up to six months in jail; repeat offenders may face more serious felony charges and up to 20 years in prison.
“Texas cannot run its own immigration system,” the Justice Department wrote in a 2024 court filing. “Its efforts, through SB 4, intrude on the federal government’s exclusive authority to regulate the entry and removal of noncitizens, frustrate the United States’ immigration operations and proceedings, and interfere with U.S. foreign relations.”
The Texas law only took effect for several hours before it was put on hold by a federal appeals court.
The Associated Press notes that the Justice Department has also moved to dismiss similar claims against the states of Iowa and Oklahoma, both of which passed legislation making it a crime to be in the state without legal status. Like Senate Bill 4, Iowa and Oklahoma’s laws empower local law enforcement to arrest immigrants.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has since taken the opportunity to lambast the Biden administration’s border policies.
“The Biden administration’s absurd opposition to [Oklahoma’s law] was particularly frustrating since it was the White House’s gross negligence on border security that had made the state law so necessary in the first place,” Drummond said in a statement on Friday.
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird also cast the Trump administration’s move as a “major victory” for her constituents.
“Today, President Trump again proved that he has Iowa’s back and showcased his commitment to Making America Safe Again by dropping Biden’s ridiculous lawsuit,” Bird said in a statement.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa has indicated that it will consider its options moving forward.
“With today’s DOJ filing, we remain steadfast in our commitment to working to keep this harmful law from being enforced in Iowa,” said Bettis Austen, the legal director for the ACLU of Iowa.
Sources
Justice Department moves to drop lawsuit that would allow Texas police to arrest migrants
Justice Department sues Texas over law that would let police arrest migrants who enter US illegally
Trump administration drops challenge to Texas law targeting people who illegally cross the border
Trump administration moves to dismiss lawsuits against Iowa and Oklahoma over immigration laws
Join the conversation!