For Immediate Release: August 3, 2021
Contact: media@ilrc.org
(Austin, TX) -- A federal judge today granted the Justice Department’s motion and has temporarily stopped Texas Gov. Greg Abbott from giving state troopers the authority stop vehicles they believe are carrying immigrants.
In her ruling, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Cardone said, “The Executive Order causes irreparable injury to the United States and to individuals the United States is charged with protecting, jeopardizing the health and safety of non-citizens in federal custody..."
“The Justice Department won this battle, but it must challenge every single one of Gov. Abbott’s anti-immigrant policies, including Operation Lonestar,” said Anita Gupta, a staff attorney for the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC). “Gov. Abbott cannot be allowed to continue his hateful campaign against immigrants. If left unchecked and unchallenged, there is no doubt that he and other states led by anti-immigrant officials will continue their racist attacks.”
Abbott’s false narrative that immigrants spread COVID-19 is outrageous, especially as he continues to denounce mask mandates and loosens social distancing and other restrictions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) is a national nonprofit that works with immigrants, community organizations, legal professionals, and policy makers to build a democratic society that values diversity and the rights of all people. Through community education programs, legal training & technical assistance, and policy development & advocacy, the ILRC works to protect and defend the fundamental rights of immigrant families and communities.