Attorney General Jason Miyares has expressed his support for a Texas law that allows for the deportation of illegal immigrants. In a statement, Attorney General Miyares highlighted the importance of addressing the immigration crisis, stating, “The immigration crisis has rendered every state a border state, and I swore an oath to safeguard Virginians.” He further questioned the lack of solutions to the public safety issues arising from illegal immigration, asking, “When will enough be enough?”
The coalition supporting the Texas law includes 22 states, with Attorney General Miyares joining in filing an amicus brief in favor of the legislation. The brief argues that states have a responsibility to address public crises and protect their citizens, emphasizing the importance of upholding validly enacted state laws. The states on the amicus brief alongside Virginia are Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
The Texas law, SB4, designates illegal immigration as a state crime and grants state officials the authority to enforce it. However, the law faced legal challenges, with a U.S. District Court blocking it. The case is currently under review by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
The stance taken by Attorney General Miyares and the coalition of states underscores the ongoing debate surrounding immigration policies and enforcement measures in the United States.