April 26, 2026
NEWS DIGEST
by Brandon Waltens
Good morning,
A federal appeals court has lifted a block on Texas’ border enforcement law, handing the state a major procedural win in its effort to crack down on illegal immigration.
In a Friday ruling [[link removed]], the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit vacated a lower court injunction [[link removed]] against Senate Bill 4, finding that the groups challenging the law lack standing to sue.
Because the plaintiffs do not have a sufficient legal stake in the case, the court ruled, the lawsuit cannot proceed—clearing the way for the law to take effect while broader legal questions remain unresolved.
Senate Bill 4 [[link removed]], passed by the Texas Legislature in 2023, creates state-level criminal penalties for illegal entry into Texas and gives state and local law enforcement a direct role in immigration enforcement.
The law establishes two primary offenses. First, it makes it a crime for a foreign national to enter Texas from a foreign country at any location other than a lawful port of entry. Second, it creates a separate offense for individuals who re-enter the state after having previously been deported or denied admission to the United States.
In addition to criminal penalties, SB 4 also creates a new state process for removal. Under the law, a judge may order an individual accused under the statute to return to the country from which they entered. If the person agrees to that order, the criminal charge can be dismissed.
The legal challenge to SB 4 was originally filed in December 2023 by two immigration advocacy organizations—Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center and American Gateways—along with El Paso County.
They argued the law violates the U.S. Constitution and interferes with federal authority over immigration policy.
The U.S. Department of Justice under the Biden administration later joined the lawsuit, similarly arguing that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility and that Texas could not create its own parallel system.
The cases were consolidated, and in February 2024, a federal district judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking the law before it could take effect.
That injunction remained in place as the case moved through the courts, even after the Department of Justice withdrew from the lawsuit in 2025, following President Donald Trump taking office.
Despite the federal government’s exit, the nonprofit groups and El Paso County continued pursuing the case, leading to Friday’s ruling that they lack standing.
Notably, the court did not rule on whether the law is constitutional or preempted by federal immigration law, leaving those questions for future litigation.
Featured Texas Provides New Transparency on Educator Misconduct [[link removed]]
By Erin Anderson
For the first time, disciplinary action reports documenting Texas educators’ misconduct include key information about the school employees being sanctioned, including the nature of the allegations against them and where they worked.
The State Board for Educator Certification has published reports of final actions taken against Texas educators’ teaching certificates for years.
But prior reports provided minimal useful information to the public.
Read More [[link removed]]
Real Texans Chris Woolsey [[link removed]]
For Sunday's edition of Real Texans, Daniel Greer sits down with Chris Woolsey to talk about his work preserving Texas History by refurbishing markers all over the state. They talk about how this passion project turned into an internet sensation.
New interviews with REAL TEXANS [[link removed]] every Sunday!
State New Mexico Annexation, ‘Death Star 2.0′ on Agenda for New House Oversight Committee [[link removed]]
The committee is expected to guide legislation on local regulations, taxpayer-funded nonprofits, transparency laws, and other issues ahead of the next session. Texas A&M Spends Six-Figures To Bring Former VP Mike Pence To Speak [[link removed]]
TAMU paid at least $130,000 in speaking fees and more for a private plane. Federal Appeals Court Allows Ten Commandments Displays in Texas Classrooms [[link removed]]
The court found Texas’ law does not resemble a historical “establishment of religion.”
Read more in State news... [[link removed]]
Local Houston Walks Back ICE Ordinance, Votes To Amend Policy Under State Pressure [[link removed]]
The revised policy took effect immediately. Leading School Construction Companies Back Proposed Ponder ISD Debt Package [[link removed]]
The bonds will appear on the May 2 ballot. Judge Speedlin-Gonzalez Resigns Amid Disciplinary Action [[link removed]]
The Democrat judge had been suspended for unlawfully detaining an attorney.
Read more in Local news... [[link removed]]
Did someone forward this email to you? Subscribe here! [[link removed]] Help us keep Texans informed! [[link removed]] Manage Your Subscription [[link removed]]
Join the conversation with Texas Scorecard on any or all of our social media accounts!
[[link removed]]
The Texas Scorecard Journalism Fellowship [[link removed]] is a comprehensive program designed for conservative Texans under the age of 25 with an interest in public policy, effective civic engagement, political accountability, and Texas history.
Share [link removed] Tweet [link removed] Forward [link removed] A product of Texas Scorecard
www.TexasScorecard.com
(888) 410-1836
PO Box 248, Leander, TX 78646 This message was originally sent to:
John xxxxxx |
If you ever stop receiving our emails, it might be because someone unintentionally removed you from the list. To resubscribe, simply do so through our subscriber portal:
[link removed]
Before you click the link below... If someone forwarded this email to you, clicking the link will end their subscription. Unsubscribe [link removed]
