Texas has recently implemented one of the toughest immigration laws in modern times, making border crossings illegal and punishable with jail time. Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, justified the law as a means to "stop the tidal wave of illegal entry into Texas." However, the law has faced immediate legal challenges from immigrant rights groups.

The new law grants local and state police officers the authority to stop and arrest individuals suspected of crossing the border illegally, except in schools and hospitals. Penalties for such violations range from misdemeanors to felonies, carrying fines of up to $2,000 (£1,580) and potential jail time.

In addition, the law authorizes judges to order the deportation of those arrested back to Mexico. However, it remains uncertain how Texas authorities plan to enforce this provision. The severity of penalties for illegal re-entry can lead to up to 20 years in jail based on a migrant's immigration and criminal history.

Critics of the law argue over whether state governments should have the power to enact such measures. Previous court rulings have maintained that only the federal government has the authority to enforce immigration laws.

Immigration advocates, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas and Texas Civil Rights Project, wasted no time in challenging the law. They filed a lawsuit against the state, asserting that the legislation is unconstitutional and places an undue burden on local governments. The lawsuit estimates that the law could result in approximately 8,000 arrests annually in El Paso county alone, potentially straining the local court and jail systems.

The ACLU and other groups have called on a federal judge to intervene, declaring the law unlawful and halting its enforcement. They argue that the law grants police the ability to make arrests based on mere suspicions about immigration status and allows judges to deport individuals without due process.

The Mexican government has also expressed its intention to challenge the law. Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador characterized it as a misguided attempt by Governor Abbott to bolster his popularity. Meanwhile, the White House emphasized that the federal government, rather than individual states, holds the responsibility for determining how and when noncitizens are removed for violating immigration laws.

The issue of border and immigration has become a significant headache for President Joe Biden. In the past fiscal year, a record-high of 2.4 million migrant "encounters" were registered at the border. Recognizing the political implications, Republican lawmakers have aimed to leverage US military aid to Ukraine to secure stricter policies on illegal immigration.

While the legal challenges to the Texas immigration law unfold, it remains to be seen how the courts will interpret the boundaries between state and federal authority in immigration enforcement. The outcome of this legal battle will inevitably shape the landscape of immigration policy in the United States.

Note: The information provided in this article is solely based on the context given and does not reflect current or ongoing updates on the topic.