In a significant development in the ongoing battle over immigration policy, the Biden administration has taken its fight against Texas' immigration law, known as SB4, to the Supreme Court. The law, if enforced, would grant Texas law enforcement officials the authority to arrest migrants suspected of crossing into the U.S. without authorization.

SB4, deemed one of the most far-reaching state immigration laws in modern U.S. history, would enable Texas officials to stop, detain, and prosecute migrants on state criminal charges related to illegal entry or reentry. Additionally, the law would empower state judges to issue de facto deportation orders against those suspected of violating the law.

Last week, U.S. District Court Judge David Ezra granted a request from the Justice Department and the American Civil Liberties Union for a temporary block on the enforcement of SB4, which was scheduled to take effect on Tuesday. Judge Ezra ruled that the responsibility for immigration arrests and deportations lies with the federal government, and dismissed Texas' argument that the state was dealing with an "invasion" of migrants.

However, Texas sought an appeal, resulting in the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals suspending Judge Ezra's order on administrative grounds over the weekend. Subsequently, the Biden administration turned to the Supreme Court, requesting its intervention in the matter. Justice Samuel Alito has now paused the 5th Circuit Court's order until Wednesday, March 13, and has given Texas until the end of the business day next Monday to present its case. If the Supreme Court rules in Texas' favor, SB4 could come into effect on March 13 at 5 p.m. ET.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican who signed SB4 into law in December, argues that the legislation is necessary to curb migrant crossings. He has accused the Biden administration of not taking sufficient action to deter unauthorized immigration. Currently, Texas state troopers are arresting some migrants on trespassing charges, but SB4 would grant them the ability to make arrests without the consent of property owners.

On the other hand, the Biden administration contends that SB4 interferes with federal immigration enforcement, disregards U.S. asylum laws, and risks straining relations with Mexico, which has condemned the law as "anti-immigrant." The Justice Department, in its filing to the Supreme Court, warned that SB4 would cause chaos in the administration of federal immigration laws within Texas.

This legal battle over SB4 is just one among several clashes between Texas and President Biden over immigration policy. Tensions have escalated over the installation of razor wire and buoys by Texas officials near or in the middle of the Rio Grande. Furthermore, Texas National Guard soldiers, under Abbott's direction, have prevented federal Border Patrol agents from processing migrants in a public park in Eagle Pass since January.

In a controversial move, Texas has been busing tens of thousands of migrants from the U.S.-Mexico border to large cities led by Democrats, including New York, Chicago, and Denver, at the direction of Governor Abbott.

As the fate of SB4 lies in the hands of the Supreme Court, the outcome of this legal battle will have far-reaching implications for immigration policies within Texas and potentially the entire nation.