The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs that the Mexican Government filed an Amicus Curiae (Friend of the Court) brief before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans, Louisiana. Mexico intervened before the Court in support of the preliminary injunction of several provisions of Texas SB4, granted by the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas on August 31.
The purpose of the Amicus Curiae is to affirm the preliminary injunction blocking the implementation of Texas SB4 that require police and other state officers to ask about the immigration status of anyone they stop; as well as those that would require local law enforcement authorities to hold immigrants longer than would otherwise be the case to transfer them to federal authorities.
In its brief, the Mexican Government argues that the entry into force of these provisions would create a complex and perilous legal patchwork, which may lead to selective enforcement of the law that might entail discrimination. This could undermine the rights of Mexicans that live or visit the state. Furthermore, it would have a negative impact in the relation with Texas, as well as hinder effective collaboration and trade between our country and that state.
While the Mexican government recognizes the sovereign right of each country to determine its domestic policy and legislation, this does not prevent it from exercising its non-renounceable duty to protect the rights of Mexicans abroad.
Laws like SB4 open the door to possible acts of racial profiling; and promote an environment of persecution. For that reason, the Mexican government will continue to follow closely the legal process against SB4.
In addition, Mexico’s Embassy in Washington, D.C., and its consular network in Texas will use all possible means, including legal actions, to safeguard due process and prevent that the rights of our citizens are violated, regardless of their immigration status.