DOJ seeks to dismiss lawsuit against Texas immigration law

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced it wants to dismiss a lawsuit against Texas regarding immigration enforcement. In a court filing on March 18, DOJ lawyers stated they are voluntarily dropping the case. The DOJ did not provide further comments on this decision. The suit was originally filed under President Joe Biden in 2024. It challenged a Texas law that allowed state police to arrest and deport illegal immigrants. Officials argued that Texas was bypassing federal law and the Constitution. The law, known as Senate Bill 4, made it a state crime to illegally enter the U.S., allowed state judges to order deportations, and required state officials to enforce those orders. A federal judge had previously blocked the law, stating that only the federal government can enforce immigration laws. In January 2025, the judge ruled that Texas law enforcement could work with federal authorities to detain undocumented individuals but could not deport them. This development comes after two executive orders from former President Donald Trump aimed at reducing illegal immigration and promoting cooperation between federal and state officials. The DOJ has also dropped similar lawsuits challenging immigration laws in other states, arguing they conflicted with federal immigration regulations.