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The Texas border security law known as SB 4, which has been fighting its way through courtrooms since it was signed into law, has hit yet another roadblock. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the law will remain on hold while the legal battle continues to unfold.
The law makes it a state crime to cross the border illegally into Texas, allowing local and state authorities to detain, arrest, charge, and deport illegal immigrants instead of turning them over to federal authorities, who then release them into the interior of the United States.
Previously, the law had been allowed to go into effect by the Supreme Court, but the Fifth Circuit paused the law again just hours later. Overnight, that pause was extended by the Fifth Circuit. They have yet to issue a final ruling on the merits of SB 4, and once they do, the losing side will likely appeal that ruling to SCOTUS, which will make the final decision on SB 4's fate.