Judge blocks enforcement of 100-day deportation moratorium

A federal judge has blocked enforcement of a 100-day deportation moratorium, issuing a temporary restraining order after the state of Texas lodged a lawsuit last week regarding a Department of Homeland Security memo that called for pausing most removals. 

Acting Secretary of Homeland Security David Pekoske signed a memo instructing immigration authorities to direct attention towards national security and public safety risks and individuals caught coming into the nation unlawfully after Nov. 1, according to the Associated Press, which noted this represented a significant shift from the Trump-era policy that anybody in the nation unlawfully represented a removal priority.

The moratorium became active on Friday and encompassed almost all people who came to America without authorization prior to last November, according to the outlet.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton declared victory on Twitter: "Within 6 days of Biden's inauguration, Texas has HALTED his illegal deportation freeze. *This* was a seditious left-wing insurrection. And my team and I stopped it," the Lone Star State official wrote.