Senior U.S. District Judge David A. Ezra of the Western District of Texas. On Thursday, Ezra issued an injunction against Texas SB4, which would make illegal immigration a state crime. Ezra, a Reagan appointee, previously served on the U.S. District Court, District of Hawaii. (United States District Court, District of Hawaii)
The injunction comes in response to a lawsuit by Immigration and civil rights groups against Texas after Gov. Gregg Abbott signed the law in December.
At the signing ceremony, Abbott said the goal of the legislation was to "stop the tidal wave of illegal entry into Texas."
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott vowed to continue sending migrants to sanctuary cities until the Biden administration secures the border. (Getty Images)
Opponents have characterized the measure as the most drastic attempt by a state to crack down on immigrants since a 2010 Arizona law — which detractors called the "Show Me Your Papers" bill — was mostly struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Thirty former U.S. immigration judges, who served under both Republican and Democratic administrations, signed a letter this month condemning the measure as unconstitutional.
Ezra, a Reagan appointee who previously served as Chief Judge for the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, said the Texas law conflicts with the U.S. Constitution and federal immigration law, "to the detriment of the United States' foreign relations and treaty obligations."
The American Civil Liberties Union, Department of Justice and other groups sued Texas arguing the law is unconstitutional.
"VICTORY: A federal court just BLOCKED Texas’ anti-immigrant law #SB4 from taking effect March 5," the ACLU said on X after Ezra's decision came down.
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"This is a win for Texas values, human rights, and the Constitution."
Texas officials did not immediately release a statement on the judge's decision.
Fox News' Bill Melugin and Fox News Digital's Bradford Betz contributed to this report.
Chris Pandolfo is a writer for Fox News Digital. Send tips to chris.pandolfo@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @ChrisCPandolfo.
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