On Monday, a judge from Texas expressed concerns about the potential impact on her border community if Senate Bill 4 (SB 4) undergoes any changes. This legislation, which grants Texas officials the authority to conduct arrests, detentions, and deportations, is currently on pause due to ongoing legal challenges.
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans recently decided against allowing the law to take effect while the related federal court case progresses. As ABC’s Dallas affiliate WFAA reported, further discussions on this matter are scheduled for Wednesday.
Dale Carruthers, the Terrell County Judge overseeing a region of 760 residents along the Rio Grande River and a supporter of SB 4, expressed to Scripps News that her community is already facing financial difficulties. She highlighted that any additional responsibilities without funding could severely affect the county’s stability.
TX federal court (Credits: Fox News)
Thaddeus Cleveland, the Sheriff of Terrell County, shared his backing for SB 4 with Newsweek, emphasizing the importance of a collaborative effort involving state, local, and federal resources to secure the borders.
However, Cleveland pointed out practical challenges that need resolution before implementing SB 4, particularly regarding funding and resources. He noted that the nearest ports of entry, Del Rio and Presidio, are 120 and 170 miles away, respectively.
The Supreme Court of Texas (Credits: The New Yorker)
This distance means that transporting individuals to these locations would require a deputy to be away from the county for nearly an entire work shift, underscoring local law enforcement’s logistical hurdles in border areas.
