Mexico City, Mexico — The Government of Mexico says it rejects the Texas anti-immigrant law SB4. On Tuesday, the Government, through the Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores (SRE) expressed its concerns.
The Government of Mexico, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE), condemns the entry into force of the SB4 law in Texas. The law aims to stop the flow of migrants by criminalizing them, promoting family separation, discrimination and profiling racial violence that violates the human rights of the migrant community.
As has been expressed since this measure was discussed in the Texas legislature last year, Mexico categorically rejects any measure that allows state or local authorities to carry out immigration control tasks, detain and return nationals or foreigners to Mexican territory.
Mexico also questions legal provisions that affect the human rights of the more than 10 million people of Mexican origin who reside in Texas, generating hostile environments in which the migrant community is exposed to expressions of hate, discrimination and racial profiling.
Mexico reiterates its legitimate right to protect the rights of its nationals in the United States and to establish its own immigration policies into its territory.
Mexico recognizes the importance of a uniform immigration policy and bilateral efforts with that country so that the migration of people is safe, orderly and with respect for their human rights, and is not affected by legislative decisions of the state or local.
In that sense, Mexico will not accept, under any circumstances, repatriations by the state of Texas.
As part of the actions to safeguard the interests of Mexico and its nationals in the United States, the Government of Mexico will participate as a Friend of the Court before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals located in New Orleans, Louisiana, to provide information relevant to the impact that said law will have on the Mexican and/or Mexican-American community, as well as its effect on relations between Mexico and the United States.
Mexico has historically participated decisively as a Friend of the Court in other litigation against anti-immigrant laws. For example, against Arizona law SB1070, in 2010, in Alabama’s HB 56, in 2011 and Texas SB4 in 2017.
Additionally, as part of the consular assistance and protection strategy in the face of this new legislation, in November 2023, protection consuls in Texas met to coordinate actions in the event of the law coming into force.
Likewise, meetings have been held in January and February with the heads of the Mexican representations in that state, a group called Texcoco, in the same vein.
The SRE will continue to provide timely, humane and dignified consular assistance and protection to all Mexican people in Texas through its 11 representations in the state, and the Albuquerque Consulate, which also covers counties in the state.
