Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/23pdf/23a814_febh.pdf
Page Number: 13.0

8 

UNITED STATES v. TEXAS 

SOTOMAYOR, J., dissenting 

670, 679 (2023).

In sum, the District Court concluded that S. B. 4 was both 
likely unconstitutional and would cause immediate turmoil, 
and  denied  Texas’s  request  for  permission  to  enforce  the 
law  nonetheless  while  appealing  the  preliminary  injunc-
tion.  Without  any  reasoned  analysis,  the  Fifth  Circuit 
granted  that  relief,  and  this  Court  now  permits  the  Fifth
Circuit’s  temporary  administrative  stay  to  linger  indefi-
nitely. 

III 

The real world consequences of S. B. 4, many of which the 
District  Court  recognized,  see  2024  WL  861526,  *38–*43,
illustrate why the Fifth Circuit and this Court should have
proceeded carefully and deliberately to maintain the status 
quo before letting S. B. 4 go into effect. 

First, S. B. 4 “immediately disrupt[s] sensitive foreign re-
lations agreements, particularly around the destination for
the removal of noncitizens,” and “irreparably derail[s]” on-
going discussions with Mexico intended “to reduce irregular 
migration at the southern border.”  Id., at *38.  The United 
States has treaty obligations concerning where it may re-
move  citizens  of  other  Nations  that  S.  B.  4  disregards  by
removing  all  targeted  noncitizens  to  Mexico.    “Mexico  . . . 
has already protested the law and will likely continue to do
so  as  Texas  deports  Central  and  South  American  immi-
grants into the country.”  Id., at *43. 

Second, S. B. 4 “frustrates the United States’ efforts and 
obligations to protect individuals fleeing from persecution 
or torture.”  Id., at *39.  In particular, as the District Court
noted, “state judges may not consider federal asylum appli-
cations as a reason to abate state removal proceedings.”  Id., 
at *40.  As a result, “Texas may remove or incarcerate many
noncitizens with valid asylum or withholding claims, in vi-
olation of U. S. treaty obligations.”  Id., at *43.