SB4

Regardless of what courts rule regarding SB4, a climate of distrust has permeated among immigrant and mixed-status families in Texas.

Texas' immigration law has raised fear that it'll promote racial profiling by police. The concerns evoke memories of what happened after Arizona passed its so-called "show me your papers" law in 2010.

Wednesday’s hearing before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals focused on whether SB 4, Texas’ controversial immigration-enforcement law, is constitutional and was the latest face off in the ongoing back and forth between the state of Texas and the Biden administration over the measure.

The 2-1 decision came late Tuesday from a three-judge panel at the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. It keeps the state of Texas from enforcing the law, known as SB 4, as the legal challenge against it continues in federal court.

NPR's Sacha Pfeiffer speaks with Washington Post columnist Eduardo Porter about Texas' immigration law SB4, and Mexico's reaction to it.

A federal appeals court blocked Senate Bill 4 from going into effect. The bill could grant local police departments the authority to enforce state immigration policies.

The legal battle over SB4, which gives local and state police the authority to arrest someone suspected of illegally entering Texas, has become an emotional roller coaster.

NPR's Steve Inskeep asks San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg about the law, currently on hold, that would let state and local law enforcement arrest people suspected of illegally crossing the border.

NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with Texas State Rep. Armando Walle about the potential impact of SB4 on Hispanic communities in the state.

The controversial new law would allow Texas law enforcement officers and judges to arrest and deport people in the country illegally, powers that have traditionally belonged to the federal government.