Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R).
On Thursday (Jan. 21), Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said Texas may file a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after the Biden administration announced a 100-day moratorium on deporting certain illegal immigrants beginning Jan. 22.
On his first day in office (Jan. 20), Biden signed several executive orders reforming some of the immigration policies established by the administration of former President Trump (Trump). Acting Secretary of Homeland Security David Pekoske issued a memo the same day calling for an internal review of current policies on immigration enforcement.
DHS said the agency will suspend deportations of certain non-U.S. citizens who should be deported “to ensure that we have a fair and effective immigration enforcement system that focuses on protecting national security, border security and public safety.
Paxton sent a letter to Pecos calling the DHS decision illegal.
Paxton also argued that suspending deportations would allow the Biden Administration to grant “blanket Amnesty” to many undocumented immigrants “without congressional approval.
He tweeted, “When the Biden administration breaks the law, I take action. I have told the Department of Homeland Security to immediately rescind its illegal and unjustified deportation ban or Texas will file suit. As attorney general, I will always put the interests of Americans, Texans (first), over dangerous foreigners who must be deported!”
In his letter to Pecos, Paxton wrote, “The complete abdication of the Department of Homeland Security’s responsibility to enforce federal immigration laws is unlawful (conduct) and will severely and irreparably harm the State of Texas and its citizens.”
Paxton added that when the federal government fails to fully enforce immigration laws, “border states like Texas pay a particularly high price.” He said the DHS policy would prevent almost all people who should be deported, which would increase the cost of illegal immigration to Texas.
He also said that DHS has previously reached an agreement with Texas that has recognized that this “moratorium” will result in “serious injury to Texas. And according to the agreement, DHS should have conferred with Texas before making this decision, but they did not.
“This letter is a notice that Texas believes that DHS has violated the agreement.” “Texas wants to resolve this dispute, but you must immediately rescind the Jan. 20 memo.” Paxton said.
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