The Mexican government has spoken out against a border security bill, saying the country will not accept deportations coming from Texas.
In a news release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on behalf of the Government of Mexico, the country condemned a decision from the U.S. Supreme Court to allow Texas to enforce Senate Bill 4, which is meant to make unlawful entry into the state a crime and allows state law enforcement officers to apprehend those suspected of violating the law.
The release further asserted that “Mexico will not accept, under any circumstances, repatriations by the State of Texas,” adding that enforcing the law is “encouraging the separation of families, discrimination and racial profiling that violate the human rights of the migrant community.”
“Mexico reiterates its legitimate right to protect the rights of its nationals in the United States and to determine its own policies regarding entry into its territory. Mexico recognizes the importance of a uniform migration policy and the bilateral efforts with the United States to ensure that migration is safe, orderly and respectful of human rights, and is not affected by state or local legislative decisions,” per the press release.
In addition to the government statement, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador firmly stated his position during a press conference on March 20.
“Let me say this once and for all, we will not accept deportations from the Texan government,” said Lopez Obrador, per Reuters.
“We oppose this draconian law, it is completely contrary to human rights, completely dehumanizing, anti-Christian, unjust, it violates the norms of human coexistence [and] not only international law, but even violates the Bible,” he continued.
These comments were in response to the U.S. Supreme Court choosing to extend an administrative stay from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which allowed Texas to enforce the law, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Although the Court did not release an opinion on the ruling, Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh released their own opinion on the decision and said that the Supreme Court has never ruled on whether an administrative stay can remain in effect.
However, a Fifth Circuit panel voted 2-1 on March 19 to remove the administrative stay in preparation for oral arguments in the lawsuit attempting to block the bill from becoming law.
The oral arguments began on the morning of March 20, but the Fifth Circuit has not yet ruled, and it is unclear when a decision will be made.