• Mexico presents its arguments against Texas SB4 in a brief filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

As part of the strategy to defend and protect the Mexican population with respect to the anti-immigrant SB4 law in Texas, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today filed a friend-of-the-court brief (amicus curiae) with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.  

With respect for U.S. domestic policy and the openness of the U.S. judicial system, Mexico once again comes before a U.S. court to present its arguments on the negative impact of the law.

In the brief, Mexico argues the following:  

  • Its concern that the law could lead to the undue harassment, arrest, expulsion and criminalization of Mexican citizens and individuals who ‘look Latino’ by Texas agents
  • The measure creates an atmosphere of uncertainty, fear and vulnerability
  • The law conflicts with judicial precedent establishing that the federal government has the exclusive responsibility to regulate immigration issues
  • The law violates Mexico’s sovereign right to determine its own policies regarding which individuals enter our territory
  • The impact the law would have on bilateral collaboration and dialogue on border issues, significantly affecting trade between the two countries.   

The brief was filed for Mexico on a pro bono basis by Sinead O'Carroll, a partner at Reeves & Brightwell LLP with extensive experience in litigation in U.S. state and federal courts, and by her colleagues at the firm.

The Foreign Ministry will closely follow the lawsuit against the entry into force of SB4 as legal proceedings continue.

In view of the confusion that may be caused by the entry into force or suspension of SB4 as the lawsuit advances, Mexicans who live in or wish to travel to Texas are advised to remain informed about their rights in case of any racial profiling or anti-immigrant or discriminatory acts.

Mexico will continue to take all legal and consular means to provide timely, humane and dignified consular assistance and protection to all Mexican nationals in Texas at its 11 consulates in Texas and the consulate in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which also serves counties in Texas.

The friend-of-the-court brief filed by Mexico and an unofficial courtesy translation into Spanish are available at:   https://www.gob.mx/sre/documentos/amicus-curiae-del-gobierno-de-los-estados-unidos-mexicanos?idiom=es