The State of Texas has become the first US state to launch a lawsuit against the Biden administration.
Just two days after Joe Biden’s inauguration and Trump’s departure from the White House, Texas has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security over its handling of immigration policies in the state.
The lawsuit was filed by Attorney General Ken Paxton who insists that the administration violated the agreement Texas made with Trump during his final weeks in the office by imposing a 100-day deportation moratorium that temporarily suspends the deportation of undocumented immigrants who are not deemed to pose a threat to the country.point 603 | 1
According to the AG, this moratorium violates the agreement the state of Texas signed with Trump weeks ago when the federal government promised to provide the state with a warning, along with 180 days, before imposing major changes to the state’s immigration policies.
“On its first day in office, the Biden Administration cast aside congressionally enacted immigration laws and suspended the removal of illegal aliens whose removal is compelled by those very laws,” the introductory part of the complaint reads.
“In doing so, it ignored basic constitutional principles and violated its written pledge to work cooperatively with the State of Texas to address shared immigration enforcement concerns. This unlawful reversal will cause Texas immediate and irreparable harm if it is not enjoined.”
The complaint adds:
“Wednesday night, the alleged acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (‘DHS’) ordered a halt on nearly all deportations of illegal aliens, including those whose removal was ordered following a full and fair hearing and those who are not entitled—and do not claim to be entitled—to further immigration benefits.
“If left unchallenged, DHS could re-assert this suspension power for a longer period or even indefinitely, effectively granting a blanket amnesty to illegal aliens that Congress has refused to pass time and time again.
“The Constitution, controlling statutes, and prior Executive pledges prevent a seismic change to this country’s immigration laws merely by memorandum.”
In an official statement, Paxton doubled down on his allegations by saying that “the Biden administration directed DHS to violate federal immigration law and breach an agreement to consult and cooperate with Texas on that law.”
“Our state defends the largest section of the southern border in the nation. Failure to properly enforce the law will directly and immediately endanger our citizens and law enforcement personnel,” he added.
“DHS itself has previously acknowledged that such a freeze on deportations will cause concrete injuries to Texas.
“I am confident that these unlawful and perilous actions cannot stand. The rule of law and security of our citizens must prevail.”
Replaced!