Mexico is alerting a federal US court to the potential consequences of allowing a contentious Texas immigration law to go into effect, emphasizing it could lead to "significant tension" between the two nations.
In a filing submitted Thursday to the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals, legal representatives for Mexico highlighted the potential for strain in relations with the US.
"Enforcement of SB 4 would inappropriately burden the uniform and predictable sovereign-to-sovereign relations between Mexico and the United States by criminalizing the unauthorized entry of noncitizens into Texas from outside the county and creating diverging removal requirements between and among individual states and the national government" lawyers explained in the brief.
"Enforcement of SB 4 would also interfere with Mexico's right to determine its own policies regarding entry into its territory, undermine U.S.-Mexico collaboration on a legal migration framework and border management, and hinder U.S.-Mexico trade," the attorneys told the court.
Approved by Republican Governor Greg Abbott in December, the law stipulates that entering Texas illegally is a state-level crime and authorizes state judges to issue deportation orders for immigrants.
However, immigration enforcement typically falls under the jurisdiction of the federal government.
The 5th Circuit is currently determining whether Texas can implement Senate Bill 4 while evaluating the larger question of its compliance with the US Constitution.
A three-judge panel at the appeals court put the law back on hold late Tuesday after the Supreme Court cleared the way for it to go into effect for a short period earlier that day, reported CNN.
Mexico announced its support for those challenging the law, including the Biden administration. In their Thursday brief, Mexican attorneys argued that if the law is allowed to take effect, it will lead to discrimination.
Earlier Thursday, Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena said Mexico's 11 consulates in Texas have been ordered to provide protection and guidance and have made legal support available for any Mexican nationals across the state who "starts to have a problem" under the new law.
"This law is deeply unconstitutional," Barcena declared, arguing that immigration issues in the US are under federal jurisdiction, just like in Mexico.
"So, we are not going to allow any action by the state of Texas, neither the authorities, nor the police, nor anyone who acts on immigration matters at a state level, at the county level, this is a federal matter and for us too. So we are there," the minister added.
