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U.S. Supreme Court set to weigh in on controversial Senate Bill 4 before it takes effect

The Supreme Court previously extended a temporary block on SB 4, which would allow law enforcement to arrest people accused of crossing the border illegally.

AUSTIN, Texas — The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to make a decision soon on Texas' controversial immigration enforcement law, Senate Bill 4 (SB 4). 

The high court extended a temporary pause on the law that was originally blocked by a federal judge, but that extension is set to expire on March 18 at 4 p.m. CT.

In December 2023, Gov. Greg Abbott signed SB 4 into law. It was originally slated to go into effect on March 5, but the law was challenged after critics deemed it was "unconstitutional."

RELATED: 'This will go to the Supreme Court' | Federal judge hears arguments in lawsuit over controversial immigration law

Under the law, law enforcement would have the power to arrest people who are accused of crossing the border illegally. The law will also allow local judges to remove them if convicted. 

"It oversteps federal authority. It encourages and invites law enforcement to commit racial profiling," Austin-based immigration attorney Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch said. "It is a nightmare ordering state criminal magistrate judges to issue deportations against people who might themselves already have legal status or who are in immigration proceedings."

Lincoln-Goldfinch added that it is a reality people are preparing for, as it raises questions as to how they can protect themselves.

"If they have interactions with law enforcement, what are the things that they should and should not say? What information should they provide?" Lincoln-Goldfinch asked.

RELATED: Hundreds rally outside Texas Capitol to protest SB 4 before it goes into effect this week

Lincoln-Goldfinch clarified that she isn't sure of what the Supreme Court will decide to, but noted that if SB 4 goes into effect, people will leave Texas, the economy will suffer and companies may refuse to bring their business to the states. 

"Texas is not safe for immigrants right now," Lincoln-Goldfinch said.

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