Texas Challenge to Biden Deportation Priorities Goes to U.S. Supreme Court

Immigration attorney Leon Fresco was quoted in a Houston Chronicle article about a case before the U.S. Supreme Court concerning federal immigration policy and states' ability to use the courts to affect it. Texas and Louisiana sued to block the Biden Administration's attempt to narrow the scope of immigrants targeted for deportation, contending in part that the change would increase law enforcement costs for states. A federal judge blocked the policy a year ago, and the Supreme Court voted to leave the ruling the place until it could consider the decision this term. Now, the Supreme Court must decide whether the states have standing to sue, whether the Biden Administration followed the necessary process to change immigration policy and whether the lower court judge's ruling is valid. Mr. Fresco commented on the potential significance of the upcoming decision.

"If the Supreme Court were to rule in Texas's favor, this would be a landmark 180-degree shift from about the last 140 years of immigration law," he said. "It would replace the principle that presidents get broad say over how to enforce the immigration laws."

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