Mexico presents ‘amicus curiae’ to the US court against law that allows migrants to be detained and deported

The government of Mexico filed an ‘amicus curiae’ brief before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans U.S against SB4 Act in Texaswhich allows state authorities to detain and deport migrants, as announced this Thursday by the chancellor, Alicia Bárcena.

“We sent something called ‘amicus curiae’, friends of the court, where are we placing our defense, rather the points of view of Mexico, how many Mexicans are there in Texas, 26% of the population of Texas is of Mexican origin or (is) Mexican. “It’s very strong, and so is the contribution we make to the Texas economy,” declared Bárcena.

The chancellor warned, at the morning government conference, of the “confusion” surrounding the SB4 law, which would make the illegal entry of a foreigner into Texas a crime, in addition to empowering state forces to carry out arrests and deportations of immigrants.

The regulations have unleashed chaos since Tuesday, when the Supreme Court of the United States First, he allowed the law to go into effect before hearing substantive arguments, but in the evening the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals suspended its entry into force and will hold a hearing on April 3 to rule on the merits.

A group of migrants are processed by the U.S. Border Patrol after crossing the river near the highway on February 4, 2024, outside of Eagle Pass, Texas. (Photo SERGIO FLORES/AFP). (SÉRGIO FLORES/)

The Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs stated that “This law is deeply unconstitutional because the issue of immigration in the United States is a federal one.”

“Therefore, we will not allow any action by the state of Texas, nor by the authorities, nor by the police, nor by anyone who works on immigration issues at the state or municipal level, this is a federal matter,” sat down.

Bárcena stated that “Mexico is acting very firmly” against the law, promising that there will be protection for Mexican citizens in the 11 Mexican consulates in that state, where they will receive “guidance if they face any problem”.

“Something that I believe is unprecedented in our country is that a political consensus was achieved, all political forces, the legislators, the political parties, the candidates, the cabinet, “We are all acting together against this unfair and discriminatory law,” express.

Venezuelans watch alongside other migrants in Eagle Pass, Texas, as they wait to be processed by U.S. Border Patrol agents on September 24, 2023. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP) (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / )

The head of Mexican diplomacy also promised that the Ministries of the Interior, Navy and National Defense work together in the face of border incidents like the one on Wednesday, when a group of migrants They attempted to tear down Texas’ barbed fence and clashed with the Texas National Guard.

“(We are) all acting together so that, when an event like the one you mentioned (reporter at the conference) occurs at the border, we are prepared to be able to have greater control over border crossings, avoid these types of clashes and protect the ours”, he commented.

Source: Elcomercio