Texas immigration rights advocates speak out before hearing on constitutionality of SB 4

Immigration lawyer Virginia Raymond, right, greets Denise Gilman, of the Immigration Clinic at the University of Texas Law School, at a news conference before a court hearing about the constitutionality of Senate Bill 4 at the U.S. Federal Courthouse Thursday February 15, 2024.

Attorney Aron Thorn, of the Texas Civil Rights Project, speaks at a news conference before a court hearing about the constitutionality of Senate Bill 4 at the U.S. Federal Courthouse Thursday February 15, 2024.

Mori Leyva, left, to right, Heather Malkawi and Bryce Lambeth unfurl a banner at a news conference before a court hearing about the constitutionality of Senate Bill 4 at the U.S. Federal Courthouse Thursday February 15, 2024.

Robert Lilly, of Grassroots Leadership, listens at a news conference before a court hearing about the constitutionality of Senate Bill 4 at the U.S. Federal Courthouse Thursday February 15, 2024.

Heather Malkawi listens at a news conference before a court hearing about the constitutionality of Senate Bill 4 at the U.S. Federal Courthouse Thursday February 15, 2024.

Rev. Julio Vasquez, of Iglesia Luterana San Lucas in Eagle Pass, speaks at a news conference before a court hearing about the constitutionality of Senate Bill 4 at the U.S. Federal Courthouse Thursday February 15, 2024.

Jennefer Canales-Pelaez, Texas Policy Attorney and Strategist with the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, speaks at a news conference before a court hearing about the constitutionality of Senate Bill 4 at the U.S. Federal Courthouse Thursday February 15, 2024.

Attorney Aron Thorn, of the Texas Civil Rights Project, speaks at a news conference before a court hearing about the constitutionality of Senate Bill 4 at the U.S. Federal Courthouse Thursday February 15, 2024.

Heather Malkawi, left to right, Rowan Gossett and Sofia Casini listen at a news conference before a court hearing about the constitutionality of Senate Bill 4 at the U.S. Federal Courthouse Thursday February 15, 2024.

Ryan Walters, of the Office of the Attorney General, leaves after a court hearing about the constitutionality of Senate Bill 4 at the U.S. Federal Courthouse Thursday February 15, 2024.

David Donatti, Senior Staff Attorney of the ACLU of Texas, talks to reporters after a court hearing about the constitutionality of Senate Bill 4 at the U.S. Federal Courthouse Thursday February 15, 2024.

Roberto Lopez, Senior Advocacy Manager at the Texas Civil Rights Project, hugs Alicia Torres, of I.C.E. Out of Austin, after a court hearing about the constitutionality of Senate Bill 4 at the U.S. Federal Courthouse Thursday February 15, 2024.

El Paso County Attorney Bernardo Cruz talks on the phone after a court hearing about the constitutionality of Senate Bill 4 at the U.S. Federal Courthouse Thursday February 15, 2024.