US court pauses block on Texas law on illegal border crossings

A U.S. appeals court temporarily set aside a judge’s ruling that blocked a Texas law giving state officials broad powers to arrest, prosecute and order the removal of people who illegally cross the U.S.-Mexico border. The order on Saturday from the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals means the law, known as SB4, could take effect as the administration of Democratic President Joe Biden pursues claims that it interferes with the federal government’s enforcement of U.S. immigration laws. But the 5th Circuit said it would stay its decision for seven days to give the federal government a chance to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.