In a significant development, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has extended an administrative stay, blocking Texas troopers and police from arresting and jailing migrants suspected of crossing the U.S. southern border without authorization under the state's stringent immigration law, SB4. The stay, which was set to expire on Wednesday evening, has now been extended until Monday, March 18.

SB4, enacted by the Texas legislature last year, grants state and local law enforcement the power to arrest, jail, and prosecute migrants for entering or reentering the United States outside of official ports of entry. It also allows state judges to mandate return to Mexico as an alternative to legal proceedings. Texas has defended the law as a crucial step towards curtailing unlawful border crossings.

However, the Biden administration has argued that SB4 infringes upon the federal government's authority over immigration policy, violates U.S. asylum law, and damages relations with Mexico, which has criticized the measure as "anti-immigrant."

Last month, U.S. District Court Judge David Ezra issued an order prohibiting Texas from enforcing SB4, ruling in favor of the Biden administration's contention that the law contradicts federal legislation and the U.S. Constitution. Judge Ezra also dismissed Texas' claim that the state is defending itself against an "invasion" of migrants and criminals associated with cartels.

In response, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit granted Texas' request to pause Judge Ezra's ruling. Justice Alito subsequently suspended the order on administrative grounds, which has now been extended until Monday, March 18. The 5th Circuit is scheduled to hear arguments regarding the merits of SB4 on April 3.

This ongoing legal battle underscores the contentious nature of immigration enforcement policies between states and the federal government. The outcome of the upcoming 5th Circuit hearing will have far-reaching implications for immigration law and enforcement efforts in the United States.